



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. | 



Chap. 
Shelf 



_.t& 




g^^ 



UNITED STATES OF A^/SERSCA. 



THE 



FULFILLING 



OF 



THE SCHIPTURE, 

FOR 

CONFIRMING BELIEVERS 

AND 

CONVINCING UNBELIEVERS. 
/ 

BY ROBERT FLEMING. 

ABRIDGED FROM THE THIRD EDITION, A. D. 1681. 




' My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure," Isa. xlvi. 10. 

' And the Scripture cannot be broken," John x. 35. 

' This Scripture must needs have been fulfilled," Acts i. 16. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. 






Stereotyped by E. C. Allen, No. 51 Commerce Street, 
Philadelphia. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

The fulfilling of the Scripture, opened in eight 

particulars 13 

I. That the Scripture has a certain accom- 
plishment in the world, . . . . 13 

II. Considered as the Lord's peculiar work 
and design in the world, and in the whole 
conduct of providence, .... 18 

III. Considered as a very clear and manifest 

truth, 22 

IV. Considered as a mystery to most men not- 

withstanding the clear demonstration 

of the same, 24 

V. Considered as an unanswerable witness of 

its divinity, . . . . . . 29 

VI. Considered as a singularly delightful sub- 
ject for serious thought and study, . 32 

VII. Considered as the special concern of the 

godly to study this great truth, . . 38 

VIII. Considered as the duty of Christians to 
study this great truth, that they may have 
something more than report to show its 
accomplishment, 41 

Five arguments proposed, whence this truth is 
clearly demonstrated in the following 
treatise, .44 

iii 



CONTENTS. 



ARGUMENT I. 

PAGE 

Demonstrates the fulfilling of the Scripture from 
the solid and sure experience of the god- 
ly in all ages, 45 

A particular following out of this in ^ve instances : 

I. That there is a contrariety between the flesh 
and the spirit, witnessed by Christian 
experience, as clearly as it is held forth 
in the Scripture, 47 

II. Of the deceitfulness of man's heart, with the 

witness given from experience thereto 49 

III. That there is an invisible adversary with- 
out, is as clear and discernible, as that 
there is corruption within, ... 52 

IV. That there is a real intercourse between 
a Christian and the promises of the word 
by sure experience, .... 55 

Some previous considerations, for our right un- 
derstanding this, 56 

A more particular demonstration in ten special 
promises, wherewith the godly, through 
their life, have a most usual and continual 
experience. 

1. Considered with respect to our believing 

the mere word, without any probable 
appearance of its completion, . . 59 

2. That God hears and answers prayer, de- 

monstrated from solid experience . 61 

3. That the pouring out of the Spirit, and mar- 

vellous power on the soul, are no delu- 
sion 63 

4. That light and counsel to the godly, and the 

directing of their steps according to the 
promise, are made out to those who com- 
mit their way to God .... 66 

5. The promise of pardon, how it is sealed by 

experience 67 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



6. The promise of support and encouragement 

to the godly under the cross ... 69 

7. The promise to integrity and uprightness, 

in an evil time 72 

8. The promise of assistance and strength in 

duties 73 

9. The promise of all things working together 

for good to those who love God . . 75 

10. The great gain and advantage of godliness 78 
V. The Scripture threatenings have a certain 

accomplishment 81 

Some things promised for clearing this . . 81 

Some special threatenings instanced, with the 
witness which the experience of Chris- 
tians must bear to the same ... 82 

A demonstration of the truth and reality of godli- 
ness, from the experience of the saints 
in all ages 90 

The great importance of this argument from ex- 
perience, considered in seven particu- 
lars 99 



ARGUMENT II. 

Demonstrates the certain accomplishing of the 
Scripture, from the observation of the 
church in all ages, followed out in three 
branches ....... 107 

I. This argument witnesses the accomplish- 
ment of Scripture, in those promises 
which concern the universal church . 108 

1. The continuance and preservation of the 

church 108 

2. Her increase and enlargement . . . 112 

3. The promise of the Spirit, as it respects the 

church 117 

4. The promise to the church of deliverance 

in her greatest exigences . . . 123 

1# 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

5. That comprehensive promise, in Rom. viii. 

28, with respect to the church . . 127 

II. The fulfiUing of those Scripture threatenings, 

which concern the visible church . . 130 

Seven instances wherein this is made clear . 131 

III. The clear accomplishment of the Scripture 

in these passages of Providence, which 
seem to the world dark and astonishing, 
followed out in fourteen instances . 137 

1. That with the first stirrings of the church's 

delivery, her straits and troubles seem 

to increase 138 

2. A serious endeavour for reformation, and 

to promote the kingdom of Christ, meet- 
ing with great interruptions . . .138 

3. A great overclouding and darkness on the 

church, after remarkable manifestations 

of the glory and power of God . . 140 

4. That when judgment comes on a land, it 

begins first with the godly . : . 141 

5. That success sometimes follows the worst 

of men in an evil course . . . 142 

6. The disappointments the church often 

meets with when ordinary means seem 
most promising 143 

7. The long continuance of a heavy afflicting 

rod on the church . . . . .144 

8. That Satan has usually a counterfeit, when 

any remarkable work of God appears 

in a land 144 

9. The abounding of errors and heresy under - 

the gospel 145 

10. The commotions that often attend the gos- 

pel when it comes to a land in power . 146 

11. That men of great natural endowments 

are so usually opposers of the truth . 147 

12. The strange judgments which befall some 

of the saints in their outward lot . . 147 



CONTENTS. Vll 

PAGE 

13. The gross falling of some who have once 

shone with a great lustre in the church 148 

14. The strange contingency of events in the 

world 148 

This further commended to our serious study, 
how clearly the Scripture is confirmed 
by those things in the administration of 
Providence which seem to many, grounds 
of shaking, whence they are ready to 
question the truth; cleared in ten in- 
stances ....... 150 

1. That the church of Christ should be so uni- 

versally low, when the whole earth be- 
sides seems to be at rest . . . 151 

2. The short breathings of the church, and 

that her lucid intervals are of so small 
continuance 154 

3. The wearing out of life and power in the 

church, so often with a further increase 

of light 157 

4. That the great men of the earth, and those 

who sit in the place of judgment, are 
usually the greatest adversaries of the 
church 160 

5. That instruments once eminently useful 

in the church, should be found to 
change their principles with the change 
of times 162 

6. Men personating godliness and the power 

thereof at the greatest rate, who on an 
after discovery are found most gross . 165 

7. The sad divisions which so frequently are 

seen in the church 167 

8. That the Lord's immediate hand seems 

more heavy on his church and people 

in suffering times, than the hand of men 169 

9. To what a strange height a judicial stroke 

of hardness on the spirits of men may 

come 172 

10. The righteous falling with the wicked in a 
common judgment, while some notorious 
for wickedness go to the grave in peace 174 



VUl CONTENTS. 



ARGUMENT III. 

Page 
Demonstrates the accomplishment of the Scrip- 
ture, that to the view and conviction of 
the world it is undeniably obvious ; in 
in fourteen instances . . . .176 
I. That man now is fallen from that excellent 

state wherein once he was formed . 176 
IT. The truth and reality of conversion . 179 

III. That fellowship and communion here be- 

tween God and the soul is no fancy nor 
delusion 186 

IV. That the righteous is more excellent than 

his neighbour 188 

V. That the promised encouragement to the 
godly under their sufferings for the truth, 
falls not to the ground .... 190 

VI. That there is a conscience within men, 
which clearly answers the discovery of 
the Scripture respecting it . . . 192 

VII. That there is a reward for the righteous, 

and unquestionable gain in godliness . 196 

VIII. That verily there is a God who judgeth in 

the earth 198 

IX. That there are evil spirits, and such a 
diabolical power as the Scripture holds 
forth 203 

X. That there is enmity between the children 

of God and the world .... 205 
XI. That the creature is made subject to van- 
ity because of sin 206 

XII. That the end of the righteous is peace . ^ 210 

XIII. The great truth of the soul's immortality 211 

XIV. That the way of the Lord is perfect, and 

all his works done in judgment . . 216 

This demonstration more particularly followed 
out: 
1. In the whole frame and structure of the vi- 
sible church 217 



CONTENTS. IX 

PAGE 

% In the conduct and administration of Pro- 
vidence about the church . . . 220 

3. In the great work and contrivance of re- 

demption 223 

4. In the marvellous order and disposal of 

the works of God through the whole 
creation .... , , . 226 



ARGUMENT IV. 

Demonstrates the exact accomplishment of the 
prophetical part of the Scripture, and 
the special predictions thereof in these 
times to which they relate . . . 232 

I. What is already accomplished . . . 233 

1. The prophecy of old by Noah concerning 

the flood 233 

2. The judgment on men in confounding 

their languages 234 

3. The fulfilling of that which was prophesied 

concerning the church's delivery from 
Egypt 237 

4. What was promised about the growth of 

the Jewish church 238 

5. The prophecies with respect to the Baby- 

lonish captivity 239 

6. The exact performance of what was fore- 

told by Daniel concerning the rise and 

fall of the monarchies .... 239 

7. The greatest prophecy, which is the intent 

of the whole Scripture of God, the com- 
ing of the Messiah 241 

8. The remarkable prophecy of the ingather- 

ing of the Gentiles 246 

9. The destruction of Jerusalem, and ceasing 

of the Jewish daily sacrifice . . . 250 
10. The coming of antichrist, and his being 

revealed to the world .... 252 



"C CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

11. What was prophesied of the killing of the 

witnesses 260 

II. What of the prophetical part of the Scrip- 
ture is yet to be accomplished . . 262 

1. The fall and ruin of antichrist . . . 262 

2. The calling in of the Jews .... 265 

3. A great flourishing of the church in the 

days of the gospel 267 

4. Satan's binding, and the church's reign 

with Christ 269 

5. The fall and destruction of the Turkish em- 

pire 271 

6. Satan's loosing, and the victory over Gog 

and Magog 272 



ARGUMENT V. 

Demonstrates that we have already several 
grounds of confirmation, and pledges in 
our hand, to assure us, that what of the 
Scripture is to be accomplished shall be 
certainly fulfilled 273 

I. The being of the world 273 

11. The truths that are of all others most 

strange, are already accomplished . 279 

III. That Jesus Christ has begun the war 

against antichrist and the enemies of 

his church 280 

IV. That the church's victory over antichrist is 

not only begun, but in a great measure 
advanced 284 

Wherein the Lord's extraordinary providence 
is no less discernible than in the first 
planting of Christianity by the apostles, 
proved by seven witnesses . • • 284 



CONTENTS. XI 



1. The wonderful success the gospel has had 

in these late times 285 

2. The sharp assaults which the church in 

these late times has met with . . 287 

3. The wonderful patience of sufferers in these 

late times, and instances thereof . . 288 

4. The remarkable judgments of God on op- 

posers of his work, in several instances 293 

5. The large measure of the Spirit that follow- 

ed the ministry of the gospel in these 

last times 298 

6. The extraordinary apostolic spirit that ap- 

peared in some ministers and others, 
raised in these late times . . . 304 

7. The marvellous providences of God con- 

firming the truth since the late rising of 
the gospel, whereof several particulars 
are mentioned 321 



CONCLUSION. 



FIVE INFERENCES. 

I. A Christian has from the fuelling of the 
Scripture a great advantage for his es- 
tablishment 336 

11. There is a special debt on each Christian 
to bear witness to the faithfulness of 
God . 339 

III. This debt lies also on the church, to wit- 

ness the Lord's faithfulness . . . 344 

IV. It is a duty to discern the times, and in- 

quire seriously thereof .... 350 



XU CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

1. What IS the present state of the church . 350 

2. What the present signs of the time seem 

to point at 355 

3. To discern the particular snares and haz- 

zards of the times 362 

4. What in such times can the righteous do . 367 

V. The Scripture truths, as they are great and 
marvellous, are also in the evidence of 
their verification so clear and obvious, 
as may convince the greatest atheist . 372 



THE 



FULFILLING OF THE SCRIPTURE. 



There are two means by which the blessed God 
has chosen to reveal himself to the sons of men, 
his word and his works. These may be called 
the two great luminaries of the church, though the 
one be greater and more resplendent, and commu- 
nicates light to the other. By viewing the mar- 
vellous correspondence of these two lights, it may 
be easy to see God's faithfulness in the accom- 
plishment of the Scripture ; and, indeed, this is a 
truth of great concern, and one that calls for se- 
rious study, the solid persuasion of which will 
afford a sweet ground of repose and rest to the soul, 
though the earth were all in a combustion round 
about, and give a satisfying answer to our most so- 
licitous thoughts and fears. This being the in- 
tended subject of the following discourse, I shall 
iirst offer the propositions generally, and then hold 
forth some more particular grounds, whence it may 
be clearly demonstrated. 

I. That the Scripture of God has a certain ac- 
complishment here in the world. 

1. This is the very unfolding of the Lord's de- 
cree and secret purpose, bringing forth in time, 
to the view of angels and men, that work which 
was before him in the depth of his thoughts and 
2 13 



14 THE FULFILLING 

counsel from eternity. It is an opening up of the 
sealed book, not of that secret roll of election and 
the book of life, wherein the names of the elect 
are written, but the sealed book of God's dispen- 
sations in the world, showing the counsels and de- 
signs which should be brought forth in the after 
ages of time ; for as the Lord fully comprehended 
what he would do, and all that was to befall his 
church and people from the beginning to the end, 
long, long before there was a beginning, and be- 
fore the mountains were formed, so he has copied 
and written out his heart in the word. Thus the 
thoughts of his heart, his word, and his works 
sweetly agree, and each one wonderfully answers 
to another, for his work brings forth and accom- 
plishes his word, that his decree and counsel from 
all eternity may take place. 

2. The accomplishment of Scripture is trans- 
cribed in God's providence, where we may see 
how the word shines upon all the paths and foot- 
steps of the Lord toward his church in every age, 
and what a reflection his work has again upon the 
word ; so that through the whole series and course 
of providence in the earth, we have a most exact 
portraiture and image of the Scripture, they an- 
swering one to another as face answereth to face in 
the glass ; where it may be easy to discern the 
copy by the principal, and the resemblance which 
is between the building and the excellent pattern 
and model thereof which is held forth in the word. 

3. The accomplishment of the Scripture is the 
very turning of that which was the object of our 
faith and contemplation, into the object of our sense 
and feeling. It is the real birth and bringing forth 
of those truths into the world in their appointed 
time and season concerning the church, and parti- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 15 

cular Christians, which were hid in the womb of 
the promise, and in the dark predictions of the 
word. It gives the promises and prophecies a 
visible being ; yea, brings truth so near within 
the reach of our senses, that we may even touch, 
as it were, and handle the words of life. O what 
an excellent interpreter is experience 1 Taste and 
see, for thus the serious Christian gets a view 
of the Scripture and spiritual things, which the 
most subtle and piercing eye of unsanctified school- 
men cannot reach ; yea, by the practice of truth, 
by nearness to God, and by the retiring of the 
soul to Him, he has often got more light in an 
hour, than others have in many days by putting 
their judgment and invention upon the rack. 

4. This is God's own seal, which he puts to the 
word to confirm and ratify it. I do not only mean 
that secret seal of the Spirit within, but something 
more external : a solemn testimony of his works, 
whereby he every day appeals to men's consciences 
concerning his truth. By this visible correspon- 
dence of the seal and impression, men may easily 
see whose superscription and image that is which 
appeals on the various passages of Providence. 

5. This is something we are not to seek only in 
the extraordinary acts of Providence, or in any 
singular ai\d eminent path of a Christian experi- 
ence. It siiines forth in the smallest and most 
casual things that happen, yea, in every page of 
the great volume of Providence this may be clearly 
read. 

6. The accomplishment of Scripture concerns 
every Christian in h^s personal case, and to it his 
ordinary experience rdates. They whose prac- 
tice lies much in improvei^ent of the word, and in 
observation how it is fulfilit^, can witness how. 



16 THE FULFILLING 

under a spiritual decay, "to be carnally minded is 
death," and when it is well with their soul, that 
" great peace have they who love God's law ;" and 
have often found that God is " a very present help 
in trouble," and that it is surely good to draw near 
to him ; and in the close of their life, can, from 
many remarkable and convincing providences, de- 
clare the truth and faithfulness of God. It would 
be well if Christians, in departing from this world, 
would more generally leave a testimony behind 
them to the faithfulness of God in his word. This 
would prove a singular help to strengthen others, 
and to spread abroad the fame and good report of 
religion ; yea, thus one generation would declare 
the works of the Lord to another, and transmit the 
memory of his goodness to succeeding ages. 

7. Besides the general agreement of the word 
and providence of God in all ages, there is an 
especial agreement of some portions of the Scrip- 
ture with particular times. For it is clear, that a 
part of the word was to have its peculiar accom- 
pKshment under the law ; that part of it also should 
be fulfilled in the days of the gospel ; and we find 
a very important part thereof belongs to these lat- 
ter times. It is true, we do not yet wel? under- 
stand how to sort the event exactly to the word, 
but it is sure that every age hath something of the 
Scripture peculiar thereto, and that carries forward 
the Lord's work and design a further step. Every 
several period and revolution of time still adds 
something to that excellent history of the word 
and Providence, which we have since the begin- 
ning, and brings into the w^rld some additional 
accomplishment of the Lo-'^'s counsel and design 
respecting his church. 

8. The accomplistimg of the Scripture particu- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 17 

larly relates to the militant and travailing condition 
of the church ; for if the Scriptures were once fiilly 
accomplished, and the great mystery of God 
therein finished, there were then nothing more to 
do, his work of providence were at an end, and 
time should be nc more. This is something that 
is not perfected at once, but is still gradually carry- 
ing on, and shall le complete at the resurrection 
of the just, and at the second coming of the Lord, 
which is the last pait of canonical Scripture to be 
fulfilled, when both his work and his word, and 
time, shall all be finished togetlier. While the 
saints are yet by the way, they have the written 
word, and all the precious promises therein, for 
present use and encouragement ; but when it has 
brought them to land, it has no more to do ; there 
will then be no more need for a Christian to go to 
a promise, and adventure upon it ; we shall then 
no more watch with the watchmen in a dark and 
stormy night, and hope for the breaking of the day ; 
faith then shall not be at a siand to think how such 
a word shall be made out, because of invincible 
difficulties in its way. No, faith will then have 
done its work, and that which is written shall be 
swallowed up in that which is seen and enjoyed : 
all the streams of our encouragement will then 
lose themselves in a greater depth. There will 
be then no more need of a pledge and earnes'^ to 
them who have the full possession of the J^heri- 
tanccj and under whose feet the God o^P^^^® h^s 
trod Satan and all their enemies. 

9. Lastly, the accomplishP--^it of the Scripture 
is something which is doC only demonstrat^rl to a 
Christiaiv by sensible influences, and God's secret 
working witli b^ Spirit, but is made evident to ti^ 
observation of mcu.^ in. the way of providence, 



18 THE FULFILLING 

which is the strongest of all outward evidences ; 
since the world must shut their eyes if they do not 
see it, and a Christian must deny what he both sees 
and feels, if he refuse to acknowledge it. 

II. The accomplishment of the Scripture is the 
Lord's peculiar work and design in the world, and 
the great business which is upon the wheels of 
Providence, amidst the various changes and revo- 
lutions of the world; and for bringing about 
whereof the blessed thoughts of his heart are fixed 
and unalterable. It is indeed a grave and serious 
truth, worthy to be more noticed and laid to heart 
by men, that the glorious providence of God — 
which goes throughout the earth, and influences 
every thing which comes co pass, the smallest as 
well as the greatest interest of men — in all these 
operations moves certainiy and infallibly for the 
accomplishing of the Scjipture, which is the great 
object of God's regard: for it is no personal in- 
terests of men, how great soever they be, that can 
answer this end. It is something beyond the set- 
ting up of kings, or overturning kingdoms and 
nations, that he intends amidst the various changes 
which are in the world. These things come 
within the reach of his care and providence, only 
so far as the fulfilling of the Scripture, is therein 
concerned. He more values the accomplishment of 
its promises and threatenings, than all the crowns 
and kW,^(ioms of the earth ; yea. He will not let it 
fall to thb .ground, though it should be at the rate 
of laying citit«, and countries desolate. 
Now to clear thi« further, I shall remark, 
1. That the fulfilling of the Scripture is so great 
a thing, and of such concern, that the blessed God 
tk>ught it worthy of a place in h^« ^^^art from all 
eternity. This marvellous wor^ was such a plot 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 19 

and contrivance, that as no less than infiziite love, 
wisdom and power were required to brijzg it about, 
so it was well becoming the majesty of God, and 
worthy to be the work of all the three blessed 
Persons of the Trinity. Oh, if w^ could go down 
a little to this deep, and see the wonders that are 
there, we should find that knowledge, which 
usually lessens our admiration of other things, 
would heighten it here; it would be new to us 
every day, to think how great and marvellous a 
thing that is which the Lord is continually accom- 
plishing ! 

2. Upon the performance of the word the pre- 
sent encouragement and after blessedness of the 
saints lie ; for the great interest of the church is 
adventured upon the word, and embarked with it. 
The stock and treasure which is laid up in heaven, 
and all that a Christian is worth, which is laid up 
in the promise, would perish if the Scripture should 
want an accomplishment ; the godly man has then 
run and laboured in vain, and those who are fallen 
asleep in Christ have died in a sad delusion. Pro- 
vidence would be like the work of the foolish 
builder, who began and knew not how to finish. 
O how highly, then, is the Lord concerned in the 
fulfilling his word, that he may perfect what con- 
cerns his people, and having surely paid the price, 
put them also in possession ! 

3. There is yet more than the interests of angels 
a»d men, yea, than heaven and earth are worth, 
depending upon the fulfilling of the Scripture ; even 
the glory of God, and especially the praise of that 
great attiibuto, kio Atitkriairioos, which he will no 
less have to shine forth in the performance of his 
word, than his power and wisdom in this great 



20 THE FULFILLING 

fabric oi the universe, and the marvellous produc- 
tions of nature. 

4. We s]>.ould consider this as that great trust 
which is put in His hand, who alone in heaven 
and earth was found worthy to open the book of 
God's decrees and counsels, and loose the seals 
thereof; a trust which the Lord did not adventure 
upon the angels, the smallest promise being such 
as requires no less than an omnipotent power, and 
the arm of Jehovah to bring it about ; for which 
end. He whom the Father has anointed, is gone 
forth as a mighty man, who rejoices to run his 
race, that he may perform his word respecting his 
church and people — a work which he will not 
cease from, until the mystery of God in the Scrip- 
ture, and all that was spoken by the prophets, are 
put to a close ,* when heaven and earth, at the 
pouring out of the last vial, shall give that solemn 
shout and exclamation, It is finished ! It is finished ! 
Oh, if this were once fully perfect, then the winter 
were past, and the summer come, the song of 
Moses and the Lamb would be heard, because the 
bride has made herself ready ; then should all the 
trees of the wood rejoice, the hills break forth into 
singing, and all that is therein be glad, because 
the Scripture, and great design thereof, are fully 
finished, and the day of the perfect hberty of the 
sons of God is come. 

5. The accomphshment of the Scripture is of 
such concern, that nothing can be done until it be 
once finished. For this, time must wait, the sun 
must keep its course, and the ordinances of the 
heaven continue as ttiey are. ine world is \mt a 
scaffold until this building is perfected ; for this 
the grave still retains her prisoners, and the du&t 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 21 

of the saints must yet rest in hope ; the creation 
sti:i groans, and the marriage supper of the Lamb 
is deferred, nor will the cry of the souls under the 
aitar get a full return, until all that is written in the 
word be fulfilled. 

6. The accomplishment of his word is the great 
thing which the Lord this day is carrying on ; the 
world challenges it, and the hearts of the godly often 
call it in question; the atheist scoffs at it, and says, 
'^ Where is the promise of his coming ?" There 
are often, to appearance, insuperable difficulties in 
the way of its performance, therefore God so much 
concerns himself in this, for the accomplishment of 
which he is, in a holy way, restless, and provi- 
dence in an incessant motion. In order that the 
Scripture might be accomplished, the Word was 
made flesh ; and He who counted it no robbery to 
be equal with God, took upon himself the form of 
a servant. He will put forth omnipotence for the 
working of miracles, and change the very course 
of nature. For this he will make the deep dry, 
make a way through the Red Sea, and cause Jor- 
dan to stand as in heaps, that he may keep his 
promise to his people. If there is no way for 
bringing about his word, but through a sea of 
blood, and over the bones and carcasses of his 
enemies, he will do it, and bring it to pass, though 
walled cities, and the sons of Anak, mighty and 
strong, should stand in the way thereof. Abra- 
ham's old age, and Sarah's dead womb, must not 
frustrate this. If the promise of the church's res- 
toration cannot be made out without a wonder 
showed upon dry bones scattered at the grave's 
mouth, this shall not be wanting. When God says 
he will bring down the enemies of his church, if 
the dust of the ground should arise, down it must 



22 THE FULFILLING 

come : work and counsel of enemies have been 
as the spider's web, when it stood opposed to this 
end. He will keep his word herein, though tKe 
earth should be overturned, and the mountains ca&t 
into the midst of the sea. 

III. The accompHshment of the Scripture is a 
truth very clear and manifest, whereof none can 
pretend ignorance, if they do not shut their eyes, 
and oppose their own light from the fear of such a 
discovery. We are, indeed, to look after a more 
clear and full discovery of this truth the nearer the 
church is to the end of time. There is a labyrinth, 
as it were, of turnings and windings, through 
which we may see the word often brought, so that 
we lose sight thereof, and are ready to stagger con- 
cerning its performance ; but all ages have so visi- 
bly sealed the word by its performance, that we 
may say, no Christian can be a stranger to this in 
his experience, who is a serious observer of Pro- 
vidence, and the dispensations of the time wherein 
he lives. 

But to speak a little more particularly. 

1. Is that not very clear, which we see every 
day brings to light ? For these mercies which 
bring the word and promise to pass, are new 
every morning, and cry aloud, if we could hear, 
" Great is his faithfulness." Needs there more, 
to convince a blmd man that his sight is restored 
to him, but that he certainly sees ? Surely, they 
never wanted confirmation here, who do but seri- 
ously seek to be confirmed. 

2. Is not that a clear truth, which not only is 
found upon the exactest trial, but is witnessed by 
such as have tried it in their most pressing 
straits and extremity ? For it is in the darkest night 
that this truth had most brightly shined ,* and the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 23 

more remarkable heroic acts of faith, have still 
brought forth most convincing results. We may- 
say, there is none can give a better account of the 
performance of the word, than they who, against 
hope, have believed in hope. 

3. Is not that also clear, whereof there are such 
solemn, extraordinary confirmations in all ages ? I 
am sure no time could ever deny its witness, that 
by great convincing providences, both of judgment 
and mercy, it has been so sealed, as has forced 
atheists to keep silence. There has never been a 
time wherein the church had not cause to erect a 
pillar, and engrave thereon, We have seen with 
our eyes the great and wondrous works of the 
Lord. 

4. Is not that a manifest truth, which, even in 
the most strange and dark footsteps of Providence, 
so clearly shines forth ? Though the Lord's way 
is often out of our sight, yea, contrary to the or- 
dinary road of his walking, through a labyrinth of 
turnings and cross dispensations, yet at length it 
evidently clears and disentangles itself, and like 
the sun breaking out of a dark cloud, shines the 
more brightly, the more it was obscured. 

5. Is not that very clear, which can be demon- 
strated by such visible effects in the great changes 
of the world ? Men may see the fulfilling of ti^e 
Scriptures legibly written upon kingdoms and na- 
tions, upon the desolate ruins and devastation of 
cities and houses, great and fair, so that they who 
go by may clearly read the cause, and bear that 
witness, Lo ! there is sin visibly punished accord- 
ing to the word. 

6. How clear is that which we have so evidently 
drawn out, and acted over in a Christian walk 1 
For what else is the spiritual conversation and 



24 THE FULFILLING 

evidences of the grace of God in the Christian's 
life, but a visible, convincing witness to the per- 
formance of the word ? Had not this a very audi- 
ble echo to the great drift and scope of the Scrip- 
ture 1 Here men may see the Bible turned into a 
practical history, written forth, and acted on the 
heart and conversation of the saints, as on a stage 
or theatre : the word living, speaking, moving, and 
clearly diffusing itself through all the veins, as it 
were, of a Christian's life ; so that if the truth and 
reality of the grace of God be a thing manifest and 
unquestionable, we must also see therein the real 
performance of the Scripture. 

7. I shall add, that we may clearly see how one 
part of the Scripture is nothing else but the punc- 
tual fulfilling and accomplishment of the other ; 
how that which was shadowed out by dark types 
under the law, and held in a prophecy through the 
Old Testament, is written before our eyes in a 
plain and real history in the New Testament, and 
that the gospel is only a fulfilling of the law and 
the prophets. 
\ IV. Though it is so manifest that the Scripture 
\has a real accomplishment, in the constant course 
of Providence here in the world, that I am sure, if 
n\en do not blind themselves they can be no stran- 
gers to such a thing ; yet we must say, this truth, 
which most nearly concerns us, is to the most of 
men, even such who seem to give a general as- 
sent to the word, a mystery and dark riddle. 
There are a few who even inquire if there is such 
a thing; if the promises and threatenings have 
indeed a certain fulfilling. Few do seriously pon- 
der the providences of God, in which the truth 
and faithfulness of the word shine forth, that they 
may thereby be further confirmed. To many, alas 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 25 

too many, the great concern of the law, and ever- 
lasting happiness, are a trivial and an impertinent 
business. 

1. For consider, that there are many who not 
only disclaim the practice of that religion they 
profess, but do place themselves in the most di- 
rect opposition to the rules and principles thereof; 
to whom the Scripture is but as a romance ; yea, 
who do only converse therewith to prove their wit 
and parts in impugning it, and who avowedly 
mock at the judgments and providences of God. I 
confess these may be reckoned monsters, a very 
prodigy in the time wherein they live ; and which 
is strange, we see the most horrid atheists usually 
abound where the light of the gospel had most 
shined. The savage places of the earth bring forth 
no such monstrous births as are hatched within the 
visible church. 

2. That indifference which we see among men 
about religion and the most important truths of 
Scripture, shows how little this is known or laid 
to heart ; whence there is a generation who do not 
professedly deny the Scripture, yet can turn, it into 
a school problem, and wonder that men should en- 
gage so far upon it. It is not that it is hid from 
them, but they truly choose to hide themselves 
from it, as more suitable to the interest they derive. 
They wish that the truth of God should be rather 
a matter of opinion, than of faith ; a thing which 
they may dispute about, but not believe. 

3. That there is so much barren theory of di- 
vine truths in the world, with so little serious Chris- 
tian diligence, does it not sadly witness how smaii 
an acquaintance men have with this truth ? Whence 
we see so great a part of those who professedly 
acknowledge the word, and are daily conversing 

3 



26 THE FULFILLING 

with it, yet can give no other account thereof but 
report ; so many that can discourse clearly of the 
Scripture, but could never put their seal to it, that 
God is true therein. Hence there are many great 
school divines, and able ministers, as to their ta- 
lents, which are visible atheists in their way and 
practice. They judge divinity and religion to be 
rather a science and matter of speculation, than a 
matter of sense and feeling. But truly this can- 
not be found in books, men will not meet with it in 
a throng of choicest notions ; it confounds the wise, 
and disputer of this world, whilst the meanest and 
most simple Christian often knows more than 
those of greatest parts. 

4. The great hypocrisy which is in the world, I 
mean within the visible church, clearly shows that 
this truth is little thought on or laid to heart ; for 
what is that false show and appearance, which we 
may say is not only a sin, but the very sinfulness 
of sin, is it not the height of atheism ? Could any 
be so monstrously irrational as to drive this poor 
plot, how to appear that which they are not ; to be 
at such pains to act the part handsomely of a se- 
rious Christian, to personate his tears and grief, 
his spiritual frame, his zeal for God, if he thought 
gravely on this truth, and believed the threatenings 
of the word ? 

5. Those unwarrantable ways, which in a time 
of trial men take for their escape, may witness 
that they do not judge the word a sure ground to 
adventure on. Whence is their hesitation in suf- 
fering times ? Is it not that they judge the testi- 
mony of the God of truth not sufficient security 
to carry them through such a strait, and are not 
fully persuaded that what he has promised must 
come to pass J for if this were believed, they 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 27 

would reckon it their greatest safety to embark 
their interest on so sure a ground, and with much 
quietness repose their soul, and disburden their 
care, by putting it over on the word. 

6. Do not the frequent sorrows and mournful 
walk of the people of God, witness how httle they 
are in earnest with this great truth of the Scrip- 
ture's accomplishment ? What mean these distrust- 
ful fears, and perplexed complaints ? If their eyes 
are but open to know that they have such a well 
as the promise of God at their hand, how is it that 
the smallest straits are so puzzling, and ready to 
outwit them, that they so usually stumble at the 
cross ? They stagger at the promise, whilst prob- 
abilities in some visible way do not vouch for its 
performance. 

Now, from these things may it not appear, that 
this grave truth of the Scripture's accomplishment 
is but little known or studied ? I confess we may 
think on it with astonishment, that a matter so 
nearly concerning us, is not more our work. There 
are, indeed, many things worthy to be known, but 
our short life can scarce allow time or give leisure 
for the study thereof ; but though we had only two 
days to live, this I think might require the one — 
to be sure and persuaded concerning the truth of 
that whereon our heaven and eternal blessedness 
lies, and on which we must lay hold firmly when 
we are in the passage between time and eternity. 
O what a wonder that rational souls, who walk on 
the border of the greatest hope and fear imagina- 
ble, can yet be so unconcerned respecting these 
things. And truly these facts, gravely considered, 
may seem strange and hard to reconcile. 

(1.) That there is such a thing as the very word 
and testimony of God this day upon record, where- 



28 THE FULFILLING 

with we have so much to do, which offers itself 
to men's trial and exactest search, and yet we 
know it upon no other account than report or 
hearsay. 

(2.) How, in a matter of such high importance 
as salvation through ail eternity, men can take the 
truth on an implicit faith, and satisfy themselves 
with a common assent thereto, as though it were 
enough to prove our believing the same, that we 
never doubted or called it in question. I am sure 
men would not be so lax, and so easy to be satis- 
fied in the most common interest they have here 
in the world. 

(3.) How can men render to others a reason of 
their hope when it is required, who never asked it 
of themselves ; or will they seal the truth with 
their blood, who never had it sealed upon their 
heart by experience ? 

(4.) Whence is it that men can have comfort in 
the Scripture, who are not well grounded in the 
faith thereof] 

(5.) How can any think to adventure their im- 
mortal souls upon that, whereon they fear to ven- 
ture an outward interest? or how can they put 
over their dearest interests into the hand and keep- 
ing of God, who could never say they know in 
whom they believed ] 

(6.) May it not seem strange, that men can be- 
lieve the certain performance of the word and 
promises, and not be more deeply affected there- 
with ? Ought we not to think ourselves at a loss 
that day wherein we take not a turn in the medi- 
tation of Divine truth, if we are sure that these 
things must take place ? 

(7.) I would add, if the Scripture of God surely 
has an accomplishment, O how are we so little 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 29 

Christians ? Why do men walk so sadly with so 
great a hope? What manner of persons should 
they be, that are persuaded that within a little time 
the heavens must pass away as a scroll, the ele- 
ments melt with fervent heat, and the earth be 
burned up ? I think if these things will not press 
home on men the duty of being serious and dili- 
gent, they must be in a very sad lethargy. 

V. The accomplishment of Scripture is a most 
clear and undeniable witness of its divinity ; that it 
is His word, who is not a man that he should lie, 
nor the son of man, to repent. It has this as 
its distinguishing character, that not one syllable 
thereof falls to the ground. It is the undoubted and 
peculiar privilege of God to foresee things contin- 
gent, and which have no dependence upon neces- 
sary and natural causes ; and truly this is a convin- 
cing argument, yea, we may say, that of all exter- 
nal testimonies it is the greatest. But it is strange 
to think what a generation there is, who can sport 
with the Scripture, and question the truth thereof, 
who yet never once seriously inquired if such a 
thing be true. It is also sad to think, at how poor 
a rate many of the saints here live, because there 
is so little of that excellent and more noble spirit 
to search the Scripture for their further comfort 
and establishment. 

It is true, this blessed record bears witness to 
itself, and is known by its own light, whereon 
there is such a visible impress of the glorious God, 
such convincing marks of its true descent, as may 
thoroughly show whose it is, and how far it ex- 
ceeds all human invention ; and thus by a clear 
manifestation of the truth, it commends itself to 
men's consciences as a safe ground whereon they 

may repose their souls. It is also clear, how 
3* 



so THE FULFILLING 

wonderfully the Scripture has been preserved, 
and the original copies thereof kept through all 
ages, that whatever small variation there may ap- 
pear as to some small points, which in some places 
have caused divers readings, yet in any necessary 
or saving truth, the greatest critics will confess, 
they do not in the least vary ! And it is known, 
(wherein we are to adore the special providence of 
God,) that the Jewish church, to whom this sacred 
deposit was delivered, did with much exact and 
singular care look to it, even in the least tittle and 
letter thereof, it being the great work and study of 
the Masorites from one age to another, to see to 
the preserving of that great record from being in the 
least vitiated, or corrupt. And do not men see how 
marvellous the whole frame of the Scripture is ; 
what a correspondence betwixt all the parts there, 
of, that nothing in it vitiates in the least the 
proportion and beauty of the work ; but all along 
there is an evident tendency to advance holiness 
and conform the soul to God ? With a wonderful 
consent and harmony to this great end, we see 
the simplicity and plainness of its style, backed 
with a convincing majesty and authority upon the 
conscience ; yea, besides it has been attested by 
miracles that were great in themselves, famous in 
their time, transmitted to the church in after ages, 
\vith unanswerable evidences of their truth. 

Though these are great testimonies to the truth, 
yet I may say, on very sure ground that, next to 
the great witness of the Spirit, there is no argu- 
ment more convincing to reach atheism a stroke, 
and thoroughly satisfy an exercised spirit which 
may be in doubt respecting the authority of the 
Scripture, than a clear discovery of its perfor- 
mance whilst under the assault of such a tempta- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 81 

tion. They need but retire within, and then turn 
their eyes abroad on the world, to see what a 
visible impress of the word is stamped on every 
piece of the work and providence of God. Now 
for further clearing this assertion, I would offer 
these few things. 

1. First, the accomplishment of the Scripture is 
a very public testimony from heaven to its divinity, 
whilst the Lord by his works in the earth solemnly 
avows that this is his word ; for his work within 
the hearts of his people, and that which regards 
the church, is such, that men, yea, all the wise 
men of the earth may stand amazed, and confess 
that nothing less than a divine almighty power can 
accomplish it. 

2. This is the witness of all the generation of 
the righteous, who from the beginning have proved 
the truth thereof; yea, it is sealed by the blood of 
many excellent Christians, some of whom, though 
they could not well dispute for it, yet had so strong 
a demonstration of the truth within, as made it an 
easy work to die for it. 

3. This clearly shows the Scripture is an abiding 
rule of righteousness that alters not, but takes place 
in all ages ; whence they who are wise to bring 
providence to the word, and compare the expe- 
rience and remarks of one time with another, may 
be thus led in a sure path in the foreseing of events. 

4. This also demonstrates that it is His word 
who rules and guides the world, and has a sove- 
reign dominion over the same ; whilst we may here 
see such remarkable events, which both in the pre- 
sent and in former times have fallen out, as show a 
power that can reach the greatest with a stroke, 
shake the most established kingdoms, and even, in 
spite of insuperable difficulties, accomplish the 



32 THE FULFILLING 

word. Yea, that surely the spirit of the wheels 
which moves them is from Him whose word this 
is ; for it is not more clear that the curtains of the 
heavens are stretched forth over the earth, than 
that the Scripture is stretched out over the whole 
work and frame of providence ; so that all the mo- 
tions and steps thereof, even the most casual things 
that fall out, have a visible tendency to accom- 
plish those ends which the Scripture has set forth. 

5. This clearly shows it must be His word who 
has foreseen all things that were to befall the 
church, and the various changes and adventures of 
every Christian's life; it being so wonderfully 
shaped and suited to every new trial of the church, 
as if intended only for that time, and so adapted to 
every case of a godly man, as though it had been 
written for him alone. 

6. This also shows that He who is the Author 
of the Scripture, must have some immediate cor- 
respondence with the spirit of man ; for experience 
can tell how the word is directed to the heart, 
reaches the most inward contrivances thereof, so 
clearly reveals and opens up a Christian to himself, 
that we may say of a truth, its Author is the God 
of the spirits of all flesh. 

7. I shall further add, that the fulfilling of the 
Scripture in the experience of the saints, shows it 
is not a dead letter, but has power and life ; and 
that there must be an enlightening, quickening 
Spirit, something above words, yea, above nature, 
in the written word, that can make such a change 
upon the soul, give life to the dead, open the eyes 
of the blind, yea, turn a lump of earth, that for- 
merly tended downwards, now without any vio- 
lence to move from a principle of life towards God, 
as the sparks fly upward. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 33 

VI. The accomplishment of the Scripture is a 
most pleasant and truly delectable subject, worthy 
of our serious thoughts and study ; for here is held 
out the highest truth for the judgment to contem- 
plate, even the truth and faithfulness of God in the 
word. And here, also, is the greatest good for the 
affections to embrace and delight in, as that where- 
in our whole happiness is certainly wrapt up. It 
is undeniable that it is the godly man who knows 
best what true and solid pleasure is. Oh, how f^r 
do the joy and delights of the soul exceed those of 
the senses ! how far does the delight of a Christian 
surpass that of a natural man, even in his best es- 
tate ! The study of the daily performance of the 
word, is one of those paths of pleasure which 
would bring in more solid joy to the spirit in a few 
hours, than some years' wallowing in the carnal 
delights of the flesh, which is but a pleasure in 
sport, but quickly turns to grief in earnest. It 
is one of the great mistakes of the world, to sup- 
pose that religion tends to sadden and disquiet the 
soul, nay, it is certainly because we are so little 
truly religious. I truly think, though there wer6 
not a command for the study of the word, yet the 
joy and refreshment which the soul would find in 
such a diligent search, should invite us thereto. 

But when I declare what a sweet and delightful 
subject the performance of the Scripture is, it must 
be understood that it is so only to the saints ; and 
it is no wonder the world keeps at such a distance 
from it, for this is a truth it cannot bear. Natural 
men hate it ; for, as Micah, it prophesies always 
hard things, and carries a message of death to 
them, because it foretells their approaching ruin. 

To demonstrate how delightful a subject the 
accomplishment of the Scripture is for a Christian 
to study, 



34 THE FULFILLING 

Consider, 1. Serious converse with this great 
truth leads forward to practice, and thus helps to 
bring down theory to experience; which is the 
most sweet and desirable of all other denaonstra- 
tions that we can have of the truth of the Scripture, 
it turning the exercise of our judgment and reason 
into sense and feeling; we are then made to see 
what a difference there is betwixt that discovery 
which a spiritual man, whose religion is his prac- 
tice, has of this, and the cold winter-light of natu- 
ral understanding, that has no heat or warmth 
therewith. 

2. This blessed study of the Scripture's certain 
accomplishment, is like the act of one going in to 
look over his charters, and the great things therein 
contained, which he does not in the least doubt or 
question, since they are past the seals, and fully 
ratified. He now considers those things as his 
own, which in former times, when he had made 
no trial of their certainty and of his interest in 
them, he had regarded only in the general, and as 
commonly given to all. 

3. Here we might see how all the paths of the 
Lord towards his people are mercy and truth. 
This would give us a refreshing diary of Provi- 
dence, to think how in such a plunging strait, we 
found the word sensibly sealed; what observable 
confirmations we have had therewith, at such a 
time, and in such a condition ; the after recounting 
of which in an hour of trial, or in the evening of 
our life, would exceed the greatest pleasures the 
men of this world can have in looking over the 
gold and greatest treasures, which for many years 
they have been laying up. 

4. In the serious study of the daily accomplish- 
ing of the Scripture, we should have a most satis- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 35 

fying view and prospect of what God is doing in 
the earth, and how things here beneath do work 
together for carrying on his designs. We should 
see what an excellent and curious piece of work 
this frame of Providence is ; how perfect in all its 
various colours; what an observable harmony ap- 
pears there; how several discords here, do yet 
eventually agree together with one consent for the 
completing of God's design ; and whilst we think 
there must be some disorder among the wheels, 
we are made afterwards to see that this confusion 
was an excellent step of Providence, confounding 
the wisdom of men; every part of his way being 
so knit to another, as that it discovers to such who 
make this blessed truth their serious study, a most 
rare contexture, beyond the reach and skill of the 
greatest philosopher that ever was. Here also we 
might go up to the watch-tower of Christian ob- 
servation, and from thence take a serious look at 
God's way, and lay his work in the world to the 
Scripture as the measuring line, by which we 
should see how the word every day takes place, 
flows through all the veins and arteries of provi- 
dence, each line whereof is exactly drawn, as by 
the pencil of some skilful hand, to that great ex- 
emplar of the Scripture. Here we might discern 
those eminent examples of judgment and mercy 
that in every age are set before us: how wicked 
men prosper for a time, yet have a dreadful issue, 
and are suddenly cast into destruction ; they spread 
as a green bay-tree, and within a little their 
place cannot be found. How the godly are often 
sore afflicted, yet flourishing as the palm tree; 
and the more they are depressed, the more they 
grow. How the enemies of the church are often 
lifted up for a sorer fall, and the church brought 



36 THE FULFILLING 

low in order to her greater enlargement. How 
judgment finds out sinners, and is often exactly 
proportioned in measure and kind to the sin. And, 
on the other hand, how integrity is often sore 
tossed, yet still falls upon its feet; and is over- 
clouded, that it may shine more brightly after. 
How the threatenings of the word visibly overtake 
kingdoms and nations, bring down great houses, 
and cause those who are brought up in scarlet to 
embrace the dunghill, and let not the hoary head 
of cruel and wicked men go into the grave in 
peace. O how sweet an exercise were this for a 
Christian even to lose himself in ! 

5. From thence we might, in a great measure, 
discern what of the night it is with the church; 
if there be any evidences that it is near day. We 
should be skilful to feel the church's pulse, and 
thereby find what symptoms there are of life or 
death, and perceive a dark cloud of judgment 
rising, when it is but like an hand-breadth. Surely 
this study should make us wise to know the times, 
and what we ought to do therein; for amongst 
these various events which fall out in every age, 
the Lord's way is consistent with itself and with 
his truth. 

6. Here we should have a most pleasant and 
clear view how the Scripture of God comprehends 
the whole state of the church from the beginning 
to the end of time: that it is a most full and per- 
fect register of all the vicissitudes and alterations 
which are to go over her head whilst in a militant 
condition; and also most exactly points out those 
occurrences and remarkable events which fall out 
in the ordinary course of Providence. In follow- 
ing this study we should clearly see how the Scrip- 
ture brings the church to light ont of the fountain 



OF THE SCRIPTUEE. 37 

of an eternal decree; and traces it from the first 
promulgation of the gospel after the fall, through 
those dark times before the flood, whilst it was but 
in families, and through that long trial in Egypt, 
and all its settled and flourishing condition in Ca- 
naan; and carries her forward through all the 
several changes of her case, under her decay, and 
in the times of the captivity, even to the manifes- 
tation of Christ and the dawning of the gospel; 
and as it thus takes in within its reach the whole 
estate, and the special events which befell the 
church under the law, so we may see how the 
Scripture also follows the church through the 
whole lime of the gospel, and brings her, as a 
grain of mustard seed, from a day of small things, 
to her perfection ; that it takes her, as it were, by 
the hand from her infancy, and goes with her 
through all the turnings of her condition; through 
that long and dark night of antichrist's reign, it 
points out her condition clearly, and shows the 
various assaults that she should endure in that time, 
and that blessed victory which she should gradu- 
ally have over her enemies ; and that the word and 
the church do never part, but one walketh step by 
step with the other, until it bring her safe to land, 
and, as it were, put her off its hand and guard at 
the coming of Christ. 

7. This would also help us to sweet thoughts, 
and give us matter of a song in the saddest night 
of the church's condition; it would serve to silence 
all our complaints, with wondering at God's way, 
and triumphing in the works of his hands; we 
should not then be afraid of evil tidings; a stormy 
time would not outwit us, being persuaded that 
though the earth should be overturned, it shall be 
surely well with the righteous; that the church 
4 



38 THE FULFILLING 

must flourish, and all her enemies be found liars, 
because "He is faithful that hath promised," whose 
word will as surely come to pass as the sun returns 
after a dark night. 

VIJ. It more specially concerns the godly in 
these latter times, to study this great truth of the 
accomphshment of the Scripture. 

1. For herein is the word express, that one part 
of the Scripture, which from former ages was 
sealed up, should in the latter days be clear and 
easy to understand, Dan. xii. 9. The seal is there 
put on: "Go thy way, Daniel, for these words are 
closed up, and sealed till the time of the end." 
But Rev. xxii. 10, we have that bar taken off; 
"Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book; 
for the time is at hand." Now, by the last days, 
we are not only to understand the whole time of 
the gospel, though it is thus termed in the Scrip- 
ture, but the latter part of these last times, even the 
close and evening of time, that last epoch and 
period of prophetic chronology. 

2. It is expressly promised, that in the latter 
days the church shall have a more full discovery 
how the Scripture is verified; "Many shall run to 
and fro, and knowledge shall be increased," Dan. 
xii. 4; which increase, as it clearly points at the 
last times, and that bright day the church shall 
have when Israel shall be brought in to Christ, 
also points at and promises some greater light, and 
a more full opening up of the mysteries of the 
word and fulfilling thereof; for the former part of 
the chapter shows that increase of knowledge 
relates to these things which were before sealed. 
We wait and believe that many Scripture truths, 
now dark and abstruse, shall be made so clear, as 
shall even cause us to wonder at the gross mistakes 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. tjy 

we once had thereof; yea, that after-generations 
shall have a discovery of some prophecies now 
obscure, and shall as far exceed us, as this time 
goes beyond former ages, which, comparatively, 
we must say, were very dark. O ! when that 
promise of the calling of the Jews shall once take 
place, what a wonder will it be to them, that their 
understanding should have been under such a veil, 
when the truth shall be so clear and evident to 
them in that day ? Will it not be a sweet and 
easy work for the godly to sort together the pre- 
dictions of the word, and the events ? And truly 
there is much now wrapped up in Scripture pro- 
phecies not yet fulfilled, which in after times, when 
the events shall unveil their meaning, will exceed, 
yea, confound all those comments which the wisest 
and best have written upon them. 

3. Is it not also clear, that those prophecies 
which of all the Scripture were most obscure, and 
overclouded with dark figures and allegories, con- 
cerning which there had been such mistakes and 
hesitation by the church, have a peculiar respect 
to the last times? And that they shall then be 
made plain and easy, when so notable a key as 
the event opens them ; such as those of the wit- 
nesses taking Hfe and rising again, Babylon's fall 
and ruin, Christ's reigning with his saints a thou- 
sand years, &c. &c. 

4. It is in the latter times that the glory of God 
in his truth and faithfulness shall most eminently 
shine forth. The solemn congratulation of the 
church upon Babylon's fall, not only exclaims, 
"Great and marvellous are thy works," but, 
"Just and true are thy ways," Rev. xv. 3; for 
truly in this stroke of the judgment of God, the 
fulfilUng of the Scripture will be so plain and un- 



40 THE FULFILLING 

deniable, that we may say, it will then dazzle the 
eyes of men, even the greatest atheists, and alarm 
the world; yea, very effectually contribute to that 
promised increase of the church and in-coming of 
the Jews, when in antichrist's fall and ruin they 
shall see so convincing a seal put to one of the 
most considerable prophecies of the word, in the » 
accomplishment whereof much of the prophetic 
part of the New Testament relating to the church's 
state, and her long trial under antichrist's reign, 
may be seen clearly verified. 

5. The Lord has reserved his greatest works to 
the latter days; then his judgments shall be mani- 
fest, and the word confirmed by such solemn, con- 
vincing providences, that men will not pass them 
without a remark. We are this day witnesses to 
many such, and are observing what these times 
shall yet bring forth, that the great and remarkable 
acts of the Lord may force the world to see a 
Divine power, and say, Lo, here is an undoubted 
accomplishment of the Scripture. 

6. The church in these latter times has peculiar 
advantages for understanding this truth of the Scrip- 
ture's accomplishment. A great part thereof is 
now fulfilled. The Christian church had in former 
times but dark glances at these great things, which 
we see this day visibly transcribed in Providence ; 
the promises were then travailing in birth of that 
which is now brought forth. We are mounted, as 
it were, on the shoulders of the experience and 
observation of former times. The church has 
now a greater seal and confirmation of the truth 
than it had in the days of the prophets and the 
apostles, even when Christ was in the flesh. The 
temple of God and the ark of his testimony are 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 41 

now opened In heaven, light more fully abounding 
and the means of knowledge increased. 

7. Is it not clearly foretold in Dan. xii. 4, that 
in the last times this will be one of the special 
exercises of the saints, to inquire and make a dili- 
gent search concerning the Scripture's accomplish- 
ment? For it is there said, "Many shall run to 
and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." What 
should be the posture of the godly in these days, 
but that of the watchman in the last watch of the 
night, who often looks what appearance there is of 
the day breaking from the east? 

VIII. It is a great duty for Christians to study 
this truth, that they may have something more 
than report to show that the Scripture has a sure 
accomplishment. I must think it strange that 
there is such a great help as this so near, and yet 
that we do not inquire and read the faithfulness of 
God therein; yea, that so great a truth, which can 
bear the scrutiny of all the critics of the world, a 
truth wherein our blessedness through time and 
eternity lieth, should offer itself to our trial, and 
yet be so little known. O, who can dispense with 
this duty, to study a practical converse with the 
word, and to be serious observers of its accomplish- 
ment? For let us consider, 

1. We are thus helped to declare the works of 
the Lord, and to give him the glory of his faith- 
fulness. This truth of the Scripture's accomplish- 
ment, like a great roll, hath been transmitted from 
hand to hand, from one age to another, attested 
and subscribed, as it were, by many witnesses; 
and it thus comes to our time, and to every man's 
door, and requires his personal witnessing and 
testimony. 

4* 



42 THE FULFILLING 

2. This would make it an easy work to trust 
the word, and to adventure thereon in the ordinary 
occurrences of life; for they may well trust God 
in a strait who have this strong argument to make 
use of — that often they have tried him, and found 
him faithful. That was a notable testimony from 
a serious Christian, in a very sharp trial, " Often 
have I tried God, and shall I not learn to trust him 
once !" 

3. This lays the Christian in the way of that 
promise, "Whoso is wise, and will observe these 
things, even they shall understand the loving- 
kindness of the Lord," Psa. cvii. 43. Yea, whilst 
they are serious to observe his works abroad in 
the world, and his way to others, they shall be no 
losers thereby at home, but find this promise meet 
them, and turn their general observation into a 
personal experience of the loving-kindness of the 
Lord. 

4. Thus the saints, by experiencing the truth of 
the word, get a convincing seal thereby to their 
interest in the promise; begun possession is indeed 
a strong witness to their right. 

5. Thus would Christians be helped with much 
advantage to convince gainsayers ; for it is sure 
that atheism could not make so bold and public an 
appearance if men did not take their reh'gion so 
much on trust. The serious experienced man 
can with confidence own the truth, while he can 
not only assert, but lead men to the things them- 
selves, that they may see if in such and such par- 
ticulars the Scripture be not truly fulfilled. 

6. Thus the providence of God will have a 
more sweet refreshing countenance, when from 
this great height and watch-tower of Christian 
observation, we take our observation; and truly 



OF THE SCEIPTURE. 43 

without this view men will stumble at the most 
ordinary dispensations, and think God's work is a 
mass of canfusion ; but here we see that the written 
word, and the way of God, are linked in a most 
sweet agreement. 

7. We may thus trace divine truth, even by our 
sense and feeling, and join the word and experience 
in a regular correspondence ; yea, thus we should 
have a clear transcript of the Lord's way with his 
church, taken out of that great authentic original 
of the Scripture, and see on what a solid basis and 
foundation that magnificent structure of Providence 
is raised up. 

8. This is a part of the talent wherewith we are 
intrusted, and of which all Christians should study 
a serious improvement, knowing that they must 
render an account what their observation of this 
great truth has gained, and what further establish- 
ment and confirmation they have thus attained to. 

9. The importance and weight of this study 
should press it much upon us ; for if the Scripture's 
accomplishment be an undoubted truth, then this is 
sure, that the saints have a great inheritance ; they 
are princes, though now under a disguise, and 
though yet minors, they are heirs of more than 
the world can shadow forth. If this be sure, we 
should look with compassion, rather than envy, 
on those whom the world accounts happy. We 
need not question the gain of godliness, for it is 
sure that those who " sow in tears shall reap in 
joy ;" and the righteous, though now trampled 
under, at the resurrection shall have dominion ; 
yea, in a word, we may then on sure ground so- 
lace ourselves with the thought of that great change 
which will be within a little time, when the grave 
must render back her prisoners ; and we may lie 



44 THE FULFILLING 

down in the dust, with as much assurance of a 
blessed resurrection as we are sure there will be 
a morning when we lie down at night. O, then, 
it is certain that there is a heaven and a hell! eter- 
nity is not a night-dream ; and one moment will 
shortly put an end to all our struggles, yea, the 
shutting of our eyelids at death, will but open them 
in the paradise of God. 

Having touched this truth a little in the general, 
I shall now adduce some arguments whence the 
accomplishment of the Scripture may be demon- 
strated. 

I. The first argument to prove the accomplish- 
ment of Scripture is this — That it is confirmed by 
the experience of the saints in all ages : that its 
truth is sealed by every individual Christian, from 
his frequent and sure experience, and proved by 
all believers in their daily walk upon the most 
accurate trial. 

II. The second argument is — That the accom- 
plishment of Scripture is manifest and legible in 
the whole course and tenor of Divine Providence 
respecting the church, and made out to the obser- 
vation of every age by clear convincing instances 
both of judgment and of mercy. 

III. The third argument for the accomplishment 
of Scripture is — That it has not only the Chris- 
tian's testimony from experience, and that of the 
church from constant observation, but is obvious 
even to the view of the world ; that it forces from 
the conscience of the worst of men a testimony 
that they can neither shift nor deny ; that it is sus- 
ceptible of being demonstrated to the conviction of 
ordinary observers, and has received a public ac- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 45 

knowledgment even from the greatest atheists and 
mockers of religion in every age. 

IV. The fourth argurpent is — That the greater 
part of Scripture is ah'eady fulfilled, inasmuch as 
those things which were to take place at certain 
periods of time have accordingly come to pass, 
the event exactly answering to the description ; 
and but a little part of it remains at this day to be 
fulfilled. 

V. The fifth argument is — That the Scripture 
is not only for the most part already accomplished, 
but we have sure confirmations, yea, a great pledge 
in our hand from our Lord, that what remains shall 
be certainly fulfilled. 

THE FIRST ARGUMENT TO PROVE THE FULFIL- 
MENT OF SCRIPTURE. 

Argument I. That the Scripture of God con- 
tained in the Old and New Testaments, wherein 
our great hope and comfort lie, is certainly true, 
and has a real accomplishment, may be thus de- 
monstrated — that it is tried and proved in the godly 
man's experience in all ages. 

Experience is a strong demonstration, and such 
a witness as leaves no room for debate, for here 
the truth is felt, proved, and acted on the heart. 
Now the truth of the Scripture the Christian well 
knows, and is as sure of it as he is persuaded that 
he lives, or that the sun when it shines has light 
and warmth. It is true, the world Hves at a great 
distance from this, and only converses with the 
sound of such a thing; and we know the naked 
theory of Scripture truth has but a short reach, and 
that it differs as far from that which a serious prac- 
tical Christian has, as the sight of a country in a 



46 THE FULFILLING 

map is from a real discovery of the same, where 
the difference is not in the degree but in the kind : 
yet though this grave testimony of experience is a 
thing to which many — alas, too many! — are stran- 
gers, we must say that so much thereof is obvious 
as may force its authority on men's consciences, 
and show there can be no fallacy or delusion in 
this witness, if they but allow the use and exercise 
of reason ; seeing it is not the record of a few at 
one time, or in one corner of the earth, but a so- 
lemn witness from the saints and followers of God, 
whose judgment and integrity their adversaries 
must often confess ; yea, it is the witness of all 
the saints in every age through the whole universal 
church, in parts of the earth most remote. If this 
be not sufficiently convincing, I would add, will 
you then come and see ? Be but Christians indeed, 
and then ye will no more dispute this testimony. 
And truly it is a very poor shift for men, who have 
the Scripture before them, (which of itself wit- 
nesses its authority, and this backed with so solemn 
a seal from the Lord by his works and providence,) 
to dispute the Christian's witness from their expe- 
rience, because they do not see this themselves. 
For what is the cause thereof? Is it not that they 
do not follow on to know the same ? The truth of 
God seeks credit from no man upon trust ; yea, it 
asks no more but that by a practical converse they 
would put it to a trial, and then it will not decline 
their judgment. 

Now, to prosecute this argument a little, I shall 
point at some special scripture truths with which 
Christians have most usual converse in their own 
case, and therewith give in their testimony how 
these are clearly proved and verified. I do 
not intend a particular account how the word is 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 47 

thus fulfilled with respect to persons, time, or 
other circumstances. I think it may be sufficiently 
convincing to instance in the general, such clear 
uncontroverted experiences which are well known 
to the godly, and have by them been often proved 
amidst the various changes of their life, though not 
by all in the same measure, but in some suitable 
proportion to their different states, trials, and wrest- 
lings. And concerning these I may with some 
confidence truly assert, that they are not naked or 
airy notions, but such as can witness their truth to 
the serious experienced Christian, to whom on this 
account I dare appeal. 

I shall here instance five special truths of the 
word, which are much tried and proved in Chris- 
tians' experience. I. That there is such a con- 
trariety between the flesh and the spirit, as the 
Scripture holds forth. II. The deceitfulness of 
man's heart. III. That there is a spiritual and 
invisible adversary, with whom we have war. IV. 
That the promises of the word have an undoubted 
accomplishment. V. The truth also of the threat- 
enings under which the godly may fall. 

I. That there is a contrariety between the flesh 
and the spirit, a law in our members rebelling 
against the law of our mind, is a truth very clearly 
proved to the Christian, Gal. v. 17. Rom. vii. 19, 
21, 23. This is a part of the word which holds 
forth man's nature in its true shape and form, 
yea, so marvellously answers the experience of 
good men, that to question the same were to put 
it beyond question that we know nothing of a new 
nature or principle of grace within. For who 
ever made earnest of religion, but their first ac- 
quaintance with the peace of God was the begin- 
ning of this war ? It is then that the house is 



48 THE FULFILLING 

divided, and corruption sets up a standard ; yea, no 
sooner can any begin to be a Christian, but he 
must be a soldier also ; and we may say, no one 
ever attained such a measure of mortification, or 
w^as so old in the grace of God, as not to feel the 
stirrings of the old man, and to have no need for 
that complaint, " Who shall deliver me from the 
body of this death ?" Rom. vii. 24. 

1. They now experience two different parties 
within themselves, which, at the same time, in 
the very same action, do act oppositely one to the 
other ; yea, there is no spiritual duty wherein the 
flesh, though not always in a prevalent degree, 
does not show some active resistance. 

2. That all the stirrings and motions of the flesh 
have still a tendency congruous to their own na- 
ture, to make the heart carnal, and to alienate it 
from God. 

3. That flesh is a cruel task-master, if once it 
bear sway, imperious in its commands and violent 
in its acts ; so that the experience of Christians 
may herein evidence, that it is a sore and an into- 
lerable thing for a servant to bear rule. 

4. That to things most forbidden the flesh moves 
most impetuously, so as it will even break through 
the hedge, though sure thereby to be scratched 
with thorns ; yea, it is often so eager in its pursuit, 
that it will follow the bait while the hook is most 
discernible. 

5. That when once the flesh prevails they may 
justly cr}^ " Our leanness, our leanness, woe unto 
us," Isa. xxiv. 16; for, Hke the scales of the 
balance, they find a proportionate abatement and 
depression of their spiritual life as the flesh goes 
up ; yea, they have cause to know how every step 



OF THE SCRIPTUEE. 49 

of their heart going forth to the world, is a step 
that puts them further off from God. 

6. That the more closely the law is pressed in 
its spiritual extent, yea, the more spiritual a duty 
is, the more fully opposite they find their carnal 
hearts ; and though the flesh may bear up a little^ 
with the form of religion, and has more compla- 
cency with that way which Hes most in externals, 
yet it cannot endure the power thereof; it can 
suffer men to be hypocrites, but not truly Chris- 
tians. 

7. To restrain and bring the flesh under bon- 
dage, they find is the way to spiritual liberty ; 
yea, they also know that when the outward man 
is low and upon a sensible decay, it has not hin- 
dered, but rather effectually helped their inward 
joy and strength. 

8. That indulgence to the flesh causes a sensible, 
thick interposition between heaven and the soul, 
whence Christians are impeded in their motion 
toward God, and their choicest duties become a 
grievous task. 

9. That is the true rise of their usual perturba- 
tions, and still puts some jar between them and 
their lot ; and hinders a satisfying enjoyment of 
that which they have, through murmuring at that 
they want. 

10. They also find that the defilement of their 
spirit helps to darken it; which overgrown with 
the flesh, can have no clear discovery of spiritual 
things, but that the more they are separated from 
the body, the more they find themselves advan- 
taged to converse with divine truths. 

11. That the heart of man is deceitful, and des- 
perately wicked, is a Scripture truth, Jer. iv. 14; 
xvii. 9, Mat. xv. 19, whereto the Christian's ex- 

5 



50 THE FULFILLING 

perience answers as the face answers to itself in 
the glass. Believers acknowledge that He who 
can sound this great deep of the heart, and draw 
so lively a portraiture thereof, is surely One before 
whom all things are manifest ; who searches and 
tries the reins, and knows what is our mould and 
fashion. This is one of the very first lessons 
which experimental religion teaches ; and the more 
nearness with God and further measure of grace 
that is attained, the more clear discovery there 
will be of this. O, what sad hours, what bitter 
complaints, has it caused ! This often mars the 
Christian's feast, and mingles his wine with gall 
and wormwood. I am sure if that excellent com- 
pany of the saints, who have been from the begin- 
ning of the world, to this day, could be brought 
together to give in their suffrage concerning the 
deceitfulness of the heart, there would be one joint 
testimony to this truth. We should find that Enoch, 
who walked with God, Moses, with whom he spake 
face to face, the beloved servant who leaned on 
Christ's bosom, and Paul, who was caught up to 
the third heavens, were no strangers thereto, but 
could bear witness to these truths. 

1. That which ails Christians most is within, and 
their greatest adversaries are men of their own 
house ; yea, that in the worst of times there is still 
more cause to complain of an evil heart, than of an 
evil and corrupt world, there being no worse com- 
pany than that which men are to themselves. 

2. That every time of life gives them some fur- 
ther proof that they are fools who trust their own 
hearts, which often will escape and over-reach their 
quickest reflection, even when their eyes are on 
them ; yea, that there is no time that allows the 
putting off their armour, or to dismiss their guard. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 51 

That the best case, the greatest estabh'shment in 
grace, the evening of the day, which brings us 
within some minutes of the crown and complete 
victory, does not privilege us from the experience 
of a deceitful heart. 

3. That under the best frame there will often 
lurk that which, for the present, though it were 
told, they could not believe, until frequent expe- 
rience makes them see that the word knows their 
heart better than themselves do. 

4. That to bring home their heart, when once 
it goes abroad, is not easy; for it no sooner par- 
leys with a temptation at a distance, or adventures 
to sport therewith, but it quickly turns to earnest, 
and is ready to yield. 

5. They know the constant need to have a watch 
upon their senses, and to make a covenant with 
their eyes, which quickly betray their heart ; so 
easy it is to grow warm, and to take fire upon the 
smallest touch. 

6. They know how quickly also their spirit 
slackens and loses its balance, even in the greatest 
advantage of their case; that when, in some mea- 
sure, they have been raised up in any spiritual en- 
joyment, they were then in hazard to be hfted up 
to the wind, and to have the more solid part of 
their Christianity dissolve. 

7. What a sight have they sometimes of them- 
selves; such as would be a terror to them, if the 
heart and motions thereof could be written out to 
the view of others, or if there were any witnesses 
to that which in one room will dwell beside the 
grace of God as its next door neighbour. 

8. In a word, their experience witnesses how 
soon the strongest resolutions will vanish; that 
often they are not in the evening what they were 



52 THE FULFILLING 

in the morning; but Reuben's character, "unsta- 
ble as water," may be considered as theirs. Their 
hearts have often deceived them when they trusted 
them most. Every day may cause them to sit 
down and admire the grace of God, which can 
mend what they so often mar, and is stronger to 
save and preserve, than they are to destroy. 

III. That as there is a body of death within, 
there is also an adversary without, Ephs. vi. 12. 
1 Pet. V. 8. John viii. 44, whose way, and devi- 
ces, and method of tempting, most exactly answer 
the discovery of the word. This is, indeed, a truth 
which Christian experience in all ages witnesses, 
that no sooner had they a serious look after God, 
but they found themselves pursued by an in- 
visible party, whose approaches, though spiritual, 
are yet certain and most sensibly demonstrated ; 
yea, it is sure none of the saints were ever privi- 
leged from such experiences, for herein doth the 
Christian's warfare lie. But O how sweet will 
the evening be, when they sit down and sing that 
song, "Our souls have escaped as a bird out of 
the snare of the fowier !" Psa. cxxiv. 7. They can 
bear witness, 

1. That there is surely another party, besides 
the world and themselves, with whom they have 
to do, even an invisible adversary without; whom 
they perceive by that sensible correspondence which 
he keeps with their hearts within, by those violent 
inroads, importunate solicitations, those impetuous 
motions, wherewith they are so strangely hurried 
against their light and judgment, yea, contrary to 
their strongest resolutions. 

2. That since the time when they began to look 
after God, and to know any thing of his work 
upon their spirits, they have been acquainted with 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 53 

most affrighting, dreadful temptations, the marks 
of Satan's rage; feelings which they knew not 
before, when at peace with their idols and their 
sinful ways. 

3. That the mark he levels at, and to which his 
usual temptations have a tendency, is their soul and 
inward man; even to hinder communion with God, 
and to turn their heart off from him, to break the 
law, and lay aside commanded duties. 

4. That his approaches to the heart are often by 
a very small avenue; he needs no more than an 
open door, or a sinful look, for the despatch of a 
temptation, and knows by a wound in the eye how 
to carry death to the soul. 

5. That he knows his time and opportunity, can 
change his weapons, and hide the hook with divers 
baits, and is always at hand when the heart is hfted 
up, when Christians are out of their duty and in a 
carnal frame, to throw in some temptation, and fish 
in such a troubled water. 

6. That his way truly answers his name, 
''Spiritual wickedness in high places;" being 
discerned, by daily experience, that he has the 
advantage of the ground, is a most subtle, observ- 
ing adversary, who lies in the dark to us, while 
we are in the light to him, and knows how to cor- 
respond with our corruptions, and to suit his 
temptation to our natural temper, and to our calling 
and our company, to the present strait, to our pre- 
dominant inclination, and to our retirement and 
solitude; yea, that he is one who knov/s how to 
follow in, and ply with a favourable gale, when we 
are in hot blood, or in any distemper and discom- 
posure of spirit. 

7. That he can "transform himself into an 
angel of hght," 2 Cor. xi. 14, and suit his temp- 

5^ 



54 THE FULFILLING 

tations to the spiritual exercises and enjoyments 
of the saints; that there are temptations on the 
right hand, as well as the ]eft^ which are so re- 
fined, and so like a Christian exercise, that they 
can scarcely discern the weed from the flower, or 
the most dreadful errors from the choicest truths, 
to which they often have a great resemblance; 
though at last it appears that the native tendency 
even of the most specious error in the judgment is, 
to looseness in practice, and to make men religi- 
ously irreligious. 

8. That he is also a "roaring lion;" a fact ap- 
proved by the dreadful blasphemous injections and 
darts which are thrown in with violence, without 
any concurrence of the inclination ; but, on the con- 
trary, a discernible force is felt, assaulting them 
with most horrid atheistical thoughts, even whil-e 
their hearts rise with abhorrence and enter their 
dissent against the same. 

9. That he is a most restless adversary, who 
goes about, and gives no cessation, but with pur- 
pose to return with greater advantage; is no less 
terrible in his flight than in his assault; and that 
he can speak out of a friend as well as out of a 
foe ; yea, and does then most dangerously tempt 
when the temptation is least seen or discovered. 

10. That his temptations do not only drive at 
engaging the heart to bring sin to the thought, but 
also to bring it forth to the act, in order to some 
blot upon the walk and conversation of Christians, 

11. That he is one who is overcome by resist- 
ance, and flees before those that withstand him. 

12. They also find by frequent observations that 
though he is most subtle, being one who, through 
long experience and continued practice has at- 
tained a great deal of dexterity in tempting; yet 



OF THE SCEIPTURE. 55 

that the serious Christian, by daily experience and 
watchfuhiess, may easily discern and perceive his 
temptations in their rise and at a distance, while 
they are, as it were, creeping up the wall; yea, 
thus, in some measure, he may find out "the depths 
of Satan," and know how to avoid the net spread 
by that great fowler. 

IV. That the promises of the word, which are 
held forth to the godly, have a certain accomplish- 
ment, is a truth whereto the experience of the 
saints in all ages gives a large testimony. 

Now, in speaking of this grave subject, it is not 
needful to say any thing of the nature of divers 
kinds of promises, nor whence it is that we live 
at so poor a rate, and so uncomfortably, while 
such a well as this is at our hand; for it is easy to 
read the cause within ourselves: we sow spa- 
ringly, and venture little out, therefore we have so 
small an increase; there is a price for wisdom, 
but it is in the hands of fools who have no heart 
thereto, Prov. xvii. 16. I only design to prove, 
that the promises which God has given his people 
in the Scripture, are of unquestionable verity, and 
have as real and sure performance in the saint's 
experience, as those things which come to pass 
by the concurrence of natural causes ; as that the 
fire burns when combustible matter is added, or 
the sun rises after its going down ; for, indeed, this 
truth is so manifest, proved by such innumerable 
experiments, amidst the various changes of a 
Christian's condition, that we might summon as 
many witnesses as have been followers of God in 
the world, who in all ages have put the promises 
to a trial, and have put their seal thereto that God 
is true ; yea, to ask such if they know whether 
there be a truth in Scripture promises, were to in- 



56 THE FULFILLING 

quire of a living man, whether he sees and feels, 
or if there be such a thing as motion, since they 
have as sure and sensible a demonstration of the 
one as he has of the other. 

But before I speak any thing particularly to this, 
I would first premise some things, to clear what we 
understand by the saint's experience of the truth of 
the promises. 

1. Though the Scripture has here its accom- 
plishment, and is intended for the use of the church, 
and every particular Christian while in his militant 
condition, yet there are some promises of the word, 
yea, and those the greatest, that will not be fulfilled 
until Christians have cast off their armour, and are 
called to divide the spoil ; their experience of which 
will be, "the prize of the high calling of God in 
Christ," Phil. iii. 14, whereof all which they enjoy 
is but an earnest. 

2. The great intent of the Scripture prom.ises is 
not for contemplation, but that we may know them 
by experience, and drive a blessed trade and 
commerce therewith ; the merchandise of which 
is better than that of gold, Prov. iii. 14. Here 
lies the Christian's life in the world ; yea, a great 
part of his talent is in the promises, which are not 
to be laid up in his heart and memory as in a nap- 
kin, but he is to give an account what experience 
he has gained thereby, and thus the diligent hand 
should make rich. 

3. Whatever be the different degrees of expe- 
rience among the saints, according to their growth 
and age in Christ, yet it is certain that the mean- 
est who have an interest in the promises, and who 
did ever lay hold on them in earnest, and put them 
to trial, must know something of their perfor- 
mance in their own case; for the Lord does not 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 57 

suffer his work to want a seal in his people's ex- 
perience. 

4. The experience of the godly is then strength- 
ened when they are much in observation. We 
know little of the truth and performance of the 
promises, because we are not more habitually in a 
frame to observe; thus it goes by, and we perceive 
not ; but they who were seriously seeking to be 
confirmed in the truth of the word, never wanted 
confirmation. 

5. The special mercies and providences of a 
Christian's hfe are a certain return of the promise; 
they are the sure mercies of the covenant. How 
refreshing is it, that all the several cases of the 
saints, their meanest, as well as their greatest ne- 
cessities, are comprehended in the word, and under 
some promise, and were all foreseen in His ever- 
lasting view, who has so marvellously suited the 
same to all that his people stand in need of, as if 
it had been directed to such and such a Christian 
only ! 

6. This gives the mercies of the godly man a 
peculiar and sweet relish; they are, indeed, twice 
his mercy when he gets them in so immediate a 
way, reached to him out of the promise, and as an 
observable return from heaven. When he has had 
no other escape but to turn in to the promise, and 
to cast himself upon it, he gained this experience ; 
he trusted in God, and was helped, and can give in 
this testimony of Him, that he has both spoken it, 
and himself also has done it according to his word. 

7. It is not any extraordinary thing we here un- 
derstand by the Christian man's experience of the 
truth of the promises ; it is not a rapture or reve- 
lation, or such as some of the saints have upon 
some singular and special account had ; for we 



58 THE FULFILLING 

have not any promise for these things. But it is 
something well grounded upon the word, which 
constantly occurs in the Lord's ordinary way of 
procedure with his people, according to the tenor 
of the covenant ; for his word does good to them 
that walk uprightly, and certainly takes place in 
the experience of every serious and diligent Chris- 
tian. 

8. This is not the testimony of a few, but the 
record of all the saints since the beginning, whose 
experience all most harmoniously agrees, and bears 
this witness, — that "He is faithful that promised," 
Heb. X. 23. It is not that which a Christian has 
found once or twice in his life, but is the daily 
food of such as live by faith. 

9. This puts a strong obligation on the godly 
man to trust the word for the time to come ; for 
those who have tried it often, may with much con- 
fidence trust it in the day of their strait. 

10. The experience which the godly man has 
of the real performance of the promises, is a most 
convincing evidence of his state in Christ ; it is 
the earnest and pledge of the full accomplishment 
of that which remains ; that the Lord, who has 
been his help hitherto, and will be his exceeding 
great reward in the end, will perfect what concerns 
him. 

Now, having premised these things, I shall 
instance some particular promises wherein the 
Christian's most usual trade and commerce lie. I 
confess if all the proofs which the saints have had 
of the fulfilling of the promises could be gathered 
together, we might make use of that divine hyper- 
bole, " The world could not contain the books 
that should be written thereof," John xxi. 25. 
O, what an admirable volume, what an excellent 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 59 

commentary would this be on the Scripture, to see 
it thus turned over into the experience of every 
Christian ! It vi^ould be as easy to number the 
drops of rain and dew since the creation, as to 
reckon all those precious drops and emanations of 
love, those sensible fulfilments of the promise which 
they have had in their experience. I truly think 
it would hardly be believed, though it were told, 
what some of the godly have found in the way of 
the word ; but it is sufficient to answer the design 
of this work to show, that there is a sensible de- 
monstration and performance of Scripture promises 
concerning which the experience of the saints in al] 
ages agrees. 

There are ten special promises held forth to the 
godly in the word, which I shall here instance. 

The first instance is that promise given to such 
as credit the mere word, when there is no probable 
appearance of its completion, which we have in 1 
Chron. xxviii. 20; Psa. cxii. 7, 8; John i. 50. 
To clear the accomplishment of this promise, I 
shall appeal to the testimony of the saints in all 
ages. 

1. That when they have trusted God, and got 
their spirit quiet in a recumbency on him, he has 
dealt with them according to his word : yea, from 
clear, convincing returns of the promise, they have 
been made to say, it did never repent them that 
they gave more credit to the testimony of God, 
than to that of their own hearts. 

2. That they have never found a more sweet 
and observable issue than when their help lay 
most immediately on the word alone; never a 
more sensible help than when there was least of 
sense and most of faith in carrying them through ; 
when little of the creature and much of God ap- 



60 THE FULFILLING 

peared in their mercy; and when they were at 
the lowest, and there was no way of escape but to 
throw themselves on the promise, they have then 
had the best retreat ; yea, their supply was as 
sensibly felt, as their need and burden had formerly 
been. 

3. That their greatest difficulties and doubts 
concerning the promise, have helped to their further 
confirmation and establishment; so that which for 
the time spoke their case most helpless, made way 
for the more eminent appearance and manifestation 
of God. 

4. That their greatest venture usually had the 
richest income ; the most eminent experiences of 
their life have followed the most adventurous acts 
of their faith ; yea, upon an after reckoning, they 
have often found, that their adventuring of life, 
estate, and credit, on the promise of God, has even 
in these same things, very observably been their 
preservation. 

5. That where they have most been a friend to 
their faith, there has faith also been most a friend 
to them. In their standing to the credit of the 
promise even against greatest objections and false 
reports, they have found a very evident mark of 
God's respect to the same, causing them to see that 
he will honour such as thus honour him. And it 
is indeed worthy of remark, that because Caleb 
took part with the promise of God against that dis- 
couraging report which then was raised of the 
Anakims and their walled cities, the inheritance of 
the children of Anak was given to Caleb and his 
sons by the God whom he had honoured. 

6. That believing always makes way for sense ; 
and in their closing with the naked word of pro- 
mise, they have not wanted the seal of the Spirit 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 61 

of promise, but have found a sweet calm, and their 
burden sensibly eased when once they got it laid 
on the word, which they can say has been their 
first resting-place. This has been the very fixing 
of the motion of the needle towards its right point, 
after restlessness and agitation. 

7. That their greatest disappointments have 
turned afterwards most to their advantage ; their 
returns have not only been according to their faith, 
but have often exceeded their adventure ; yea, that 
from frequent experience they may say, the issue 
of trusting the word, how long soever deferred, yet 
came always in season, and was never too late and 
out of time. 

8. That it never occasioned bitter reflections, 
nor was their disgrace before the world, that they 
trusted God in a day of strait and were not helped. 
But this testimony have all such left who have 
most credited it in a dismal hour — that faith has 
often taken them well and comfortably through, 
where both sense and reason have been ready to 
sink. 

Second instance ; That God truly hears prayer 
agreeably to his word. We have this promise in 
Phil. iv. 6 ; Psa. xxxii. 6 ; Ixv. 2 ; xci. 15. 

I shall here declare something of that testimony 
which the saints can give to this promise. 

1. That when they have, with Hannah, gone to 
the Lord in the bitterness of their spirit, they have 
returned with a sensible and marvellous change in 
their case ; they have enjoyed an observable calm 
and serenity after much inward perturbation ; yea, 
they have found their hearts thawed, and put into 
a flush of tenderness, after a most sensible restraint. 

2. They have found liberty to pour forth their 
souls to God, when he has "filled their mouths 

6 



62 THE FULFILLINGT 

with arguments," and enabled them both to wres- 
tle and wait, as a pledge of a further answer. 

3. That after they have been under a most dark 
cloud, they have found their sky clear, and have 
got a very sensible taste of God's acceptance in 
prayer, and of his taking their suit off their hand, 
even while the matter was still in dependence be- 
fore him ; yea, that they have often had such a 
satisfying persuasion of his answering their desire, 
as has helped them cheerfully to wait, and some- 
times to sing the triumph before the victory. 

4. That when they had been much in prayer 
their spirits have most flourished, the candle of the 
Lord has shone upon their paths, and his dew has 
been all night upon their branches ; and they have 
found that there is an evident and proportionate 
abatement of their spiritual life and encouragement 
in God, according to their declining in the exer- 
cise of this duty. 

5. They have many times found, when there 
was nothing left them but to return to God, a sweet 
and seasonable result, so that the most observable 
times of prayer have been also the most observable 
times of their experience. 

6. That it is not in vain to follow out a suit be- 
fore the throne, but access to heaven is a sure way 
to succeed ; having found that while many seek 
the ruler's favour, the determination of every thing 
is from the Lord. 

7. That prayer, with quiet waiting in the use of 
means, succeeds well, where over-carrying and 
carnal policy, in the use of all other shifts, have 
miscarried. 

8. They know by experience, that as there are 
judicial times, wherein a prohibition, as it were, is 
laid on them from the Lord in their wrestling, yea, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 63 

and a sore restraint on their spirits which has been 
very sensible; so also they have found times of 
prayer before some special mercy and deliverance 
to the church, whereby they could in some mea- 
sure discern its near approach. 

9. That after some solemn address and appli- 
cation to God by prayer and fasting in the day of 
strait, they have often seen cause even from that 
day to date a remarkable return, in which even 
common observers might discern what an evident 
answer the church's intercession has had with God 
in times of extremity. 

10. I may add, the saints know so well by ex- 
perience that God hears prayer, even in such and 
such a particular circumstance, that they can with 
much confidence adventure, and make an errand of 
their meanest, as well as their greatest concerns 
to him, having often tried and found that serious- 
ness and sincerity in addressing God were never 
in vain. 

The third instance is the promise of the Spirit, 
and pouring out of the same, which we have in 
Isa. lix. 21; Luke xxiv. 49; John xiv. 16; Rom. 
viii. 15, 16. 

The accomplishment of this is so manifest in the 
experience of the saints, that I am sure this can no 
more be denied, than the heat of the sun can be 
denied by those who have felt its influence ; yea, 
the Christian's spiritual walk bears as convincing 
a witness to the fulfilling of this promise, as any 
living man shows that he has a soul, and a princi- 
ple of life within him. 

For, 1. That which causes so real a change upon 
them, which makes them who once were dead, 
alive to God ; that which brings clods of earth so 



64 THE FULFILLING. 

near to heaven, and raises them so far above them- 
selves to a delightful converse with things not seen, 
that while their place and abode are here, their 
company, and fellowship, are above ; that which 
makes all things new to them, and so far changes 
their nature and inclination as causes them to find 
more sweetness in a spiritual life, than in the plea- 
sures of sin ; yea, which reconciles them to the 
law, and to the exercises of a Christian, where once 
there was such a contrariety — O ! is not this a 
real effect of the Spirit, and no imaginary thing ? 

2. Since their being born again they find them- 
selves entered into another world, brought out of 
darkness into marvellous light, and though once 
they were blind, they now see ; is not this a proof 
of the truth of this promise ? 

3. That which makes them see more of God in 
his word and works at one time than at another ; 
which makes the Scriptures at one time their chief 
delight, which are at another time but a common 
record, can be no delusion. 

4. That which causes such sensible liberty and 
confidence in their approach to God, after sore 
bondage and fear, and which raises them often so 
far above their ordinary frame, as that they are not 
only quickened and refreshed themselves, but do 
observably warm others, must be something real. 

5. That which makes such a sudden change in 
their case under ordinances, that their hearts that 
died within them as a stone, have suddenly taken 
life^ yea, have been poured out within them, so that 
they have often wished a perpetual arrest upon 
their spirits in such a condition ; can this be a 
delusion ? 

6. That which brings promises seasonably into 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 65 

their mind in the day of their strait, and makes the 
word suitable to their present case with a satisfying 
impression of the same. 

7. That which so clearly discovers to men their 
own hearts, and searches out their most close and 
retired thoughts : is not this the candle of the 
Lord ■? 

8. That which demonstrates their state and 
being in Christ by an argument which is beyond 
all words ; and in an irresistible way, answers all 
objections, and turns the most froward case into a 
blessed calm ; and has made a simple word more 
effectual in a moment than most persuasive argu- 
ments. 

9. That which makes such abundant joy to 
spring up in the heart when there is no visible 
reason, must surely be some supernatural and ex- 
cellent power, that can not only bring consolation 
out of nothing, but out of contraries. 

10. That which gives them so sensible a taste 
of the powers of the world to come, such a rap- 
turous glance of their inheritance, that they can 
hardly sometimes forbear to rise at midnight, and 
sing for joy in the hope thereof; and has given 
them such a discovery of God at some special 
times, as has made them judge that all they 
^ver knew of him before was but the hearing 
of the ear. 

11. That which is so sensibly felt in the present 
time, and has been so sweet when enjoyed, that 
the remembrance of these times has been very 
pleasant, can be no delusion. 

12. That is no delusion, the withdrawing where- 
of is so sensible to them, that it makes the duty 
wherein they have had delight to become their bur- 
den ; when they are put to row with oars, the wind 

6* 



66 THE FULFILLING 

being gone, and maketh it like night to the soul, 
when the sun is gone down. 

The fourth i?istance is that promise for direc- 
tion which God has given his people in the world, 
that he will guide them with his counsel, and will 
order and direct their steps, Psa.xxv. 9, 14; xxxvii. 
5; Ixxiii. 24. I shall attest their experience, to 
show that they have this testimony to give. 

1. That to trust God with their case, and give 
him the guiding of their way, has taken them 
much more easily through a plunging case, than 
over-caring anxiety. 

2. That the way of the word has been the best 
expedient for taking them safely and comfortably 
through ; and that they never repented that they 
did more consult their duty than inclination. 

3. That they were never left without counsel 
and direction when the eye was single ; and it was 
not so much want of light, as of heart; that made 
their way often so dark; but when they subjected 
themselves to God's mind, they have found that 
such as follow him, shall not walk in darkness, 
John viii. 12. 

4. That hght and counsel meet men in follow^- 
ing the command, and the practice of known duty 
has helped them to know more ; ar^d that light 
most abounded when it was their serious study to 
follow it. 

5. They found it was never in vain to inquire 
after God's mind by prayer, and to seek it in his 
temple. 

6. They also know, that God's gift of light 
with a powerful impression, his teaching the reins, 
and instructing with a strong hand, is no delusion, 
but the sure and well-grounded experience of most 
solid Christians in all ages ; yea, most discernible 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 67 

from any false impulse : and that some special 
work and service which God has laid in their 
way, wants not usually some special call, backed 
with such light and authority as answers all objec- 
tions. 

7. How God's special directing hand has been 
often very observable, not only in preventing and 
crossing their way, to withdraw them by some 
sharp dispensation from their purpose ; but in sen- 
sibly overpowering them, so that they have been 
plucked, as it were, back from unavoidable hazard. 

8. They have often observably found, how easy 
their way was made to them when the Lord coun- 
tenanced and prospered it, so that they have been 
forced to see and confess a Divine hand therein. 

The ffth instance is the promise of pardon, 
which God has given his people in the word, yea, 
that he is ready to pardon those who are truly hum- 
bled. Isa. xliii. 25; Jer. xxxi. 34; Mic. vii. 18. 

Now that there is a real accomplishment of this, 
I am sure that the experience of the saints in all 
ages can clearly witness. It is true, pardon of sin 
does not always infer the sensible feeling thereof; 
and when it is remitted in heaven, there is not 
always a declaration of it in the conscience ; but it 
is also sure, that this is often sensibly felt, and that 
it is found by all the generation of the righteous to 
have as powerful an operation on a disquieted 
troubled soul, as ever wine or the choicest cordial 
could have on the sick or faint. O 1 if those who 
question this were in their case, to whom God 
speaks peace atler a storm, they would know how 
real and certain it is. 

1. They feel how this has as sensible a con- 
nexion with the serious exercise of contrition and 



68 THE FULFILLING 

repentance in their experience, as it certainly has 
in the word and promise. 

2. They know that is no delusion, which is 
found so certain a cure to a wounded spirit under 
the sense of sin ; a wound which the world and all 
its diversions could never heal, whose pain and 
grief no music can allay. 

3. That is no delusion which they can no more 
command than the sun to shine when overclouded, 
or the wind to blow but when it listeth ; which the 
most persuading moral arguments, and their former 
experience, yea, the letter of most refreshing pro- 
mises, cannot induce. 

4. That can be no delusion which causes so 
marvellous a change, that after the greatest dis- 
quieting fears, they have found most sensible mani- 
festations of love ; the greatest flood succeeding to 
the lowest ebb of their spiritual condition: yea, has 
made them inquire with wonder, whence they are 
so cheerful to-day, who yesternight were so broken 
and crushed ; whence their spirit should be in so 
sweet a calm, that lately was so like the raging 
and troubled sea. 

5. That this has often met them as a blessed 
surprisal, and unexpected welcome, when they 
have in a backsliding case come to God. That 
when they knew not at what end of their per- 
plexed condition to begin, accounts having run 
long over, yet, on their very first address, they 
have had their fears suddenly removed, yea, have 
had the fatted calf killed to make merry with their 
friends. 

6. That which has an audible voice within, so 
strong an impression upon the soul, which carries 
with it such a clear satisfying discovery of God's 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 69 

heart and love, is surely no delusion. The inti- 
mation of that one truth, Your sins are forgiven, 
or any other word of promise for that end, is an 
argument which they could not resist, but have 
been as sure that they saw and felt this as that 
they live. 

7. That is no delusion which causes them to 
approach God with freedom, makes them know 
there is a Spirit of adoption, who sets the soul at 
liberty from the sore bondage and thraldom under 
which their former backsliding had put them ; yea, 
this is a thing not only sensibly felt by themselves, 
but it may be discerned by others, while they can- 
not smother the joy of their hearts, or hide in their 
countenance such a change of their condition. 

8. Have not the saints in all ages witnessed a 
joy unspeakable and full of glory, which, though 
but of short continuance, yet for the present is so 
strong, that it has enraptured their souls with the 
hope of the inheritance above ; yea, sometimes 
made them sing for joy, in expectation of that 
blessed day] 

9. Can that be a delusion which has often turned 
the poor man's hell into a heaven, which meets 
the Christian in the way of his duty, and can make 
a sad outward lot to be sweet and pleasant ; cause 
them to triumph over the wrath of men, to sing in 
a dungeon, to abound and have all things under 
greatest wants, and look grim death cheerfully in 
the face in its most dread aspect? 

The sixth instance is that promise of encourage- 
ment and support under the cross, which is expressly 
held forth, Psa. ix. 9; xci. 15; Isa. xU. 17 ; xliii, 
2; xlix. 15; h. 12. 

Now that this promise is a truth and has a cer- 
tain accomplishment, the experience of the saints 



70 THE FULFILLING 

in all ages will witness. I think it would be a 
marvellous record, if the sufferings and prison 
experiences of the saints were particularly set 
down, what they have found under the cross ; but 
it is well we know this promise has been, and is 
this day evidently sealed. 

1. That though they have often experienced 
what communion with God is in the secret duties 
of a Christian, and in the public ordinances, and 
in a special measure at some more solemn times, 
they never knew communion with him more sen- 
sibly than under the cross ; yea, they have found 
that the work and service of a suffering time, as it 
is not the ordinary service of every day, has also a 
peculiar and more than ordinary allowance. 

2. That they never experienced Divine strength 
more sensibly, than when they have been most 
pressed above their own strength ; that in the day 
w^hen they were cast on God's immediate care, 
and their ordinary means of help most withdrawn, 
they never had less cause to complain, but might 
often say as their experience, that they thirsted 
not when he led them through the wilderness ; 
yea, that they have in no time of their Ufe found 
their mercies more observably meet them, than 
when by prayer and believing they were put to 
dig the well, and wait for the rain coming down 
to fill it. 

3. That they never found more true liberty than 
in the house of bondage, nor more refreshing com- 
pany than amidst their greatest solitude, while 
they found Him near, whom gates and bars cannot 
shut out. In the day when all things else seemed 
to frown upon them, their midnight songs have 
been sweeter than all the prosperity they some- 
times enjoyed ; they have often proved, that the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 71 

deeper any were in affliction for Christ and his 
truth, the deeper they were in consolation. 

4. They find that the most satisfying and clear 
discoveries of the word are under searching and 
sharpest trials ; that a sanctified affliction is one of 
the best interpreters of the Bible. 

5. That there is a very easy passage between 
heaven and an oppressed afflicted soul; an ob- 
servable vent by prayer, and more sensible access 
to God's face when other things have most frowned ; 
yea, they can witness from experience that " He 
stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind," 
Isa. xxvii. 8. While he shuts one door, he has set 
another open ; that when the storm without has 
been very sharp, they have found a sweet calm 
and sunshine within; and when he lays on one 
sore trial, he takes another off. 

6. They can tell what a sweet parting they have 
often had with some sharp trial, which at the first 
was bitter as death, but in the close, after sanctified 
exercise under the same, they have found cause to 
be thankful for, and confess that the time of greatest 
jealousy and fear has been a time of greatest kind- 
ness and love ; that the sharpest wound from such 
a hand and heart as His, has tended to a cure ; yea, 
that very circumstance and ingredient which of all 
was most bitter and grievous, has often been the 
most remarkably blessed to them. 

7. That the peculiar advantage of a sanctified 
trial is not so well seen in the present time as after- 
wards. When the case has altered, they found a 
long and rough storm recompensed with a rich 
load of experience, and a clearer discovery of God, 
his way, and the certainty of his word, than they 
formerly had attained to. 

8. Their remembrance and afler-reckoning upon 



72 THE FULFILLING 

this account hath not been sad or bitter; when 
they sat down, and compared their gain with their 
loss, they would not then exchange their experi- 
ence, or miss what they have found by the cross, 
for many more days of trouble and affliction. 

The seventh instance is the promise that their 
integrity shall be preserved in an evil time, Psa. 
xviii. 25; cxii. 4; Rev. iii. 10. 

Now to evince the accomplishment of this, I 
may with confidence appeal to those who have 
made it their serious study to keep their garments 
clean in a time of trial, if their experience has not 
this testimony to give : 

1. That though at present honesty in evil times 
has brought them into danger, and like Joseph to a 
prison, yet it has brought them out also with ob- 
servable advantage. 

2. That honesty and faithfulness have an au- 
thority even on the conscience of their enemies, 
and leave usually a conviction upon them ; yea, 
have forced a testimony and approbation from such 
men ; and they have often found better entertain- 
ment, than those who in a sinful way have sought 
to please them. 

3. They have found this always the choicest 
expedient and best policy in a dangerous time. A 
thing whereof they have reaped the fruits in the 
day of their strait, and times of judgment ; yea, 
though it has occasioned sometime their sufferings, 
yet it has been also their safety and protection from 
sadder sufferings. 

4. That though integrity is often under a dark 
cloud of reproach, yet it still comes out well from 
the same, and has shone usually more bright after- 
ward. So that they might have had cause to 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 73 

observe, what unexpected means the Lord has 
made use of for their clearing. 

5. That while their enemies might have (were 
it not for the preventing goodness of God) taken 
another ground, they have been observably led to 
pursue them and make them the butt of their 
malice for their honesty, and that wherein they 
have peace before God. 

6. They find how unspeakably sweet this is in 
the evening of their life, that then they reap a 
comfortable harvest of that they have sown with 
much suffering and tears. O! then it does not 
repent them that integrity was their choice. 

7. They have sometime found a hundred-fold 
even in this Ufe, and an observable increase in that 
which they have been willing to hazard most. 

8. They must also say, integrity was never their 
ruin, but a conclusion was often brought about in a 
way they could not have expected ; yea the Lord's 
shutting all other doors upon them, has been that 
he might open one himself, like Hagar's well 
springing up in the wilderness. 

9. That in making their aim, when they had a 
large heart for God, they have not then wanted an 
opportunity for evidencing the same ; their encour- 
agement has abounded with their duty, and they 
have got much in, by giving much out for Christ ; 
that there was no such feast in the world, as they 
have sensibly found in the testimony of a good 
conscience. 

The eighth instance is the promise of strength 
and assistance in duties, Psa. Ixviii. 28 ; Ixxxiv. 5 ; 
Isa. xl. 29—31. 

To clear this, I attest the experience of the gene- 
ration of the righteous : 

7 



74 THE FULFILLING 

1. That when they have gone about duty under 
rnuch deadness and straitness of spirit, they have 
found a very sensible enlargement, which they 
could no more command, without the concurrence 
of Divine help, and something above nature, than 
those who spread out the sail can command a fair 
wind when it is contrary. 

2. That God's help and concurrence were never 
more discernible in carrying them through, and 
making them strong, than in the day that to their 
own sense they were most weak, when they have 
gone about duty under the greatest fears and faint- 
ing of spirit. 

3. That when they had most confidence in 
themselves, and judged they were at greatest ad- 
vantage in going about duty, they have usually 
had the saddest retreat, and found that the "race 
is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." 
Eccles. ix. 11. 

4. They know well what an influence Divine 
concurrence has not only upon their inward frame, 
but also upon the exercise of their gifts, yea, upon 
the common gifts of judgment and memory ; and 
that there is a most remarkable difference between 
themselves at one time and another, according to 
the blowing of this wind. 

5. They must also witness this as their expe- 
rience, that they never found duty more easy to 
them, than when they had most to do ; yea, when 
much work was laid on their hands, they then 
wanted not an enlarged assistance for the same. 

6. That their spirits have been fitted for duty, 
and carried through difficulties, at which, in some 
other time and in another frame, they would have 
fainted ; and thereby have seen, that no one need 
to fear any duty, when God calls him to it ; for, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 75 

when difficulties have appeared greatest at first, the 
less they have found them afterward ; yea, the 
hardest piece of service has often been made most 
easy. 

7. They find God raises the spirit of his fol- 
lowers with a suitable elevation for their work, and 
can fit them for the service and trials thereof even 
beyond their ordinary reach. 

8. That there is an open door and sensible as- 
sistance, where there has been work for the gospel 
in such a place ; while, on the other hand, they 
have found a prohibition sensibly served on them, 
and the door as it were shut, when the tide was 
going back, and the word of the gospel stopped. 

9. That it is not great abilities which make un- 
dertakings successful, it being in vain to rise up 
early without the Lord. 

10. It has often been their experience, that in 
following the way of God his candle did shine 
upon their paths ; the Spirit of the Lord was with 
them ; whose withdrawing has been no less dis- 
cernible when they turned aside from him. 

11. I may add, that there is no such help and 
support for going about duties, as a spiritual frame, 
and nearness with God ; for then, light and coun- 
sel, inward freedom and sweet composure of spirit, 
have brought most sensible advantage to them. 

The ninth instance is that great promise we 
have, "All things work together for good to them 
who love God," Rom. viii. 28. "All the paths of 
the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep 
his covenant," Psa. xxv. 10. I confess, that those 
who only take an ordinary passing look of Provi- 
dence, cannot well judge how such things, where- 
with often the godly in their life are tried, should 
contribute to their good and advantage, when no- 



76 THE FULFILLING 

thing seems more directly cross to the same ; but 
the Christian and wise observer know, that there 
is no real jar between the promise and providence 
of God in this matter. 

1. When God's way and their thoughts have 
most differed, they have found it was to their ad- 
vantage, that his choice was always better than 
theirs; yea, they have been often made to confess, 
that their saddest disappointments therein have 
tended to their further profit. 

2. That the Lord's denying them some outward 
thing which they have most desired, was in order 
to grant them more than their desire; he refused 
them, as it were, an Ishmael, that he might give 
them an Isaac. 

3. They can often say, they had been undone, 
if they had not been undone ; that it was their 
mercy the Lord took such a way to cast them in a 
fever, in order to prevent a lethargy ; and by some 
sharp cross, gave them a wound in the flesh, to cure 
some gross imposthume in the soul, which would 
have made their case worse. 

4. How the greatest misgivings have wrought 
their further establishment, so that they were never 
more confirmed than in that about which they have 
been most perplexed ; yea, they have also found 
that the Lord's way to cure their frowardness and 
misbelief was by some further addition to their 
cross ; that when they would not believe, and a 
small affliction has made them impatient, a more 
heavy and pressing trouble has been their cure, 
and helped them to keep silence under God's hand. 

5. That the growing of difficulties in their way, 
and some further pressure in the trial, were in 
order to its removal, and to the bringing forth of 
some greater good ; and that all visible grounds of 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 77 

confidence have been often broken, in order that 
their blessings should come more immediately out 
of God's own hand. 

6. How the Lord's deferring their mercy, which 
they had often sought, has been indeed their 
mercy and advantage ; and that waiting on God 
without making haste, truly makes the quickest 
despatch. 

7. Their experience can also witness, how men's 
attempts to ruin their reputation, have often been 
the very means ordered by the Lord to bring forth 
their vindication. 

8. How by some sad cross He often prevents a 
sadder, as in the man who, riding in haste to the 
seaport, to pass over the seas, fell, and broke his 
leg by the way, which was the saving of his life ; 
for the ship and all its passengers perished in that 
voyage. 

9. How their loss, even by some sad shp, and 
failing in their spiritual condition, has really tended 
to their further humbling and advantage; yea, that 
which brought them under some visible decay as 
to the wonted lustre of their Christian profession, 
has helped them to grow more under ground in the 
substantials of Christianity. 

10. They can tell that those steps of the provi- 
dence of God, which seemed most cross to the 
design he was carrying on, yea, which looked 
like the very crushing of their hope, have often 
been the very means which have wrought most 
effectually to bring about their mercy. 

11. I shall add, that the sharpest reproofs have 
seemed the wounds of a friend, the most pressing 
straits made the means for their further enlarge- 
ment ; that the Lord has brought them into some 



78 THE FULFILLING 

dark and plunging trial, which then looked like a 
fearful pit, that he might bring them out with ad- 
vantage, set their feet on a rock, and establish their 
goings, Psa. xl. 2 ; yea, that in the hottest furnace, 
they lost nothing but what they might well spare, 
even some of their dross. 

The tenth instance is that general promise made 
to godliness, that to those who make it their serious 
study it shall be great gain ; that verily it shall be 
well with the righteous, for they shall eat the fruit 
of their doings ; and that in keeping of the com- 
mandments there is great reward, 1 Tim. vi. 6 ; 
Isa. iii. 10; 1 Pet. iii. 12, 13; Psa. xix. 11. 

Now that this promise has a large witness, I shall 
here touch some things which, both in the present 
and in former times, have been proved, and sealed 
by the saints in their experience. 

1. That they never more effectually consulted 
their good and advantage, than when they did with 
greatest singleness consult their duty, and least 
with flesh and blood ; they never did more truly 
seek themselves than in the practice of self-denial ; 
yea, when they intended God most, and their 
private interest least, they have found a very 
sensible advantage. 

2. That a serious endeavour to walk before God 
acceptably, they have found the best policy, even 
in the worst of times ; and have found his way 
then very satisfying, when it was most their study 
how to please him ; yea, that when the Lord's 
way was their choice, they have found it also their 
reward. 

3. They have found more real joy and peace in 
withstanding temptations, than in the temptation 
offered ; and more delight in laying their interest 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 79 

at God's feet, and their wills underneath his, than 
in all their carnal enjoyments. 

4. That inward peace and tranquillity of mind, 
a sweet calm and composure of spirit, do as really 
attend a spiritual frame and walk, as the shadow 
the body; and their best and most comfortable 
days have been when their hearts were most sub- 
ject to the Lord. 

5. That religion and a spiritual walk is the best 
friend, even as to a contented and comfortable life 
here ; and that they have then most access to enjoy 
themselves and their lot with satisfaction, when they 
enjoy God ; yea, that nearness and communion 
with him tends to the sublimation and refining of 
their natural spirit, and has been an observable help 
to their very common abilities and parts. 

6. That there is a reality in the blessing, which 
makes a small thing signify much, and yield more 
than greater abundance. 

7. That when they give God their hearts, it is 
then sweet to observe his ways ; yea, the Lord con- 
descends to their desires when they sum them all 
up in himself, and make him their delight. 

8. That the pleasure of religion is in the prac- 
tice thereof, and the way to have religion easy is 
to be thoroughly religious. Duty is then sweet 
when men act from an inward principle ; and holi- 
ness would be a more pleasant work, yea, a re- 
ward to itself, if there were less mixture of hypo- 
crisy. 

9. That real humility and walking low in their 
own eyes and before God, never prevented their 
respect and credit with men; but self-abasement 
observably goes before lifting up, and true honour 
follows such who least hunt after vain applause 
from the world. 



80 THE FULFILLING 

10. That when they were most faithful to observe 
and improve a little, more has been added for their 
encouragement; and they never wanted matter to 
be thankful, when opportunities were improved and 
taken hold of for that end ; yea, they have found 
there is a mercy within a mercy, and in every cross 
some peculiar mercy, which is only found and 
brought forth by the exercised serious improver of 
the same. 

11. That much sincerity has also much sense 
following it. Secret honesty before God has met 
them openly before men; and faithfulness in Chris* 
tian freedom has purchased them more favour and 
respect, even from the worst, than when they 
studied most to please them in a sinful way. 

12. That they never saw more clearly the gain 
and real advantage of godliness, and what a dif- 
ference there is in a time of trouble between those 
that serve God and those that serve him not. The 
tenderness which they entertained in the morning, 
now meets them at night, and pays them home 
with advantage in an hour of temptation. 

13. They have been forced to observe, that there 
is an invisible guard about godly people in their 
duty ; that the ministry of the angels towards them 
is no delusion ; and that hazard within an hair- 
breadth has been prevented. Relief and help have 
come as between the bridge and the water ; they 
have been sensibly preserved amidst greatest 
dangers, which have only appeared that they might 
read their preservation from them. 

14. That an enlarged heart meets with an 
enlarged allowance ; and bearing the burden of 
the people of God, has helped to make their own 
private burden the lighter. 

15. That real godliness and religion has as much 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 81 

in hand as may be a reward to itself; because it 
beautifies the soul, and makes the face and con- 
versation shine with an observable lustre, and 
guards and preserves the heart from many vexing 
crosses, prevents sad strokes and sorrows that 
others who will follow their idols are pierced with. 

In a word, it is surely found that God is the best 
Friend ; and when there is peace with him, things 
without do not offend: but it is then understood 
what it is to be in league with the beasts of the 
field and the stones of the ground. 

V. That the scripture threatenings have also a 
certain accomplishment. 

This is not to be understood of the threatenings 
of wrath, (from which believers are freed in Christ,) 
but of a fatherly displeasure ; which, because of 
sin, may bring forth very dreadful effects, to witness 
that it is an evil and bitter thing to depart from God, 
and that their own doings shall chastise them. 
These threatenings of the covenant, "If thy children 
forsake my law, I will visit their transgression with 
the rod," Psa. Ixxxix. 30, 32, are sure truths, which 
want not a performance. 

To clear this, (before I speak any thing particu- 
larly,) I would premise something to be considered. 

1. That the word is a perpetual rule which in 
every period must take place ; and though afflic- 
tion is a part of the common misery of man, yet it 
does not arise out of the dust, neither fall out at an 
adventure ; but often visibly follows the track of 
sin, as a blood-hound, pointing at such evils as the 
cause, and evidencing the truth, and fulfilling of the 
threatenings. 

2. We should adore his sovereignty whose way, 
both in the measure and manner of his people's 
chastisement, is so various, as that none can infal- 



82 THE FULFILLING 

libly conclude what God will do in such a case ; 
yet, this we may assert, and firmly conclude, that 
not only the threatenings of the word have a per- 
formance, but men may also have, even beforehand, 
some more than probable conjecture what such a 
case threatens, and what will be the issue of a 
sinful course, by considering the Lord's ordinary 
procedure, both with themselves and others. 

3. Though a gracious state surely privileges 
from wrath and condemnation, yet not from afflic- 
tion and sad strokes of Divine anger, because of 
sin ; for God takes vengeance on men's inventions, 
even when he will spare the inventors. 

4. The Lord often contends with his people for 
their folly and miscarriages more severely than 
with others, and will not let pass in them that 
which he passes by in the world ; but when light, 
and love, and the law will not hedge in their way, 
he will set briers and thorns before them, yea, speak 
by chastisement upon their bones. 

5. It is known that the holy anger of God against 
his children, sometimes even pursues them out of 
the land of the living, and follows them to the 
grave with some remarkable stroke ; yea, it has 
made them dreadful examples of judgment in this 
life, for whom he has accepted an eternal sacrifice 
in Christ. 

6. I shall add, this is the Lord's blessed end in 
accomplishing his threatenings against his people, 
that they should not perish with the world. O! 
what a blessed exchange is it, that the flaming 
sword, which once stood to guard the tree of life, 
now stands, as it were, in the way of the saints, 
to keep them from running into the paths of death I 

Having premised these things, I shall now in- 
stance some particular evils, wherewith the godly 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 83 

are .ready to be overtaken, which the word ex- 
pressly threatens both as to outward and spiritual 
strokes. 

1. Security and carnal confidence, which we 
find the word threatens is an evil wherewith Chris- 
tians are ready to be overtaken ; but they do also 
know by sad experience what bitter fruit this 
brings forth, and that therein the word falls not to 
the ground, which is held forth, Isa. xxx. 16, 17 ,- 
Hos. ii. 6, 9 ; vii. 9. 

(1.) That a secure condition is the usual fore- 
runner of some sad change ; that when they are 
most at ease in a dull and dead temper of spirit, 
some sharp rousing dispensation is near, as a thorn 
in the bed of their security to make them arise. 

(2.) That seldom reckoning with the conscience, 
perplexes their case, and makes it a bitter and 
heartless work to retire alone, within themselves, 
yea, has a most direct tendency to a further har- 
dening, 

(3.) That when security grows within, it quickly 
makes them dry up and wither in the external per- 
formance of duty, and in that vigorous, lively 
appearance which formerly beautified their walk 
and carriage before others, so that very by-standers 
may read the languishing of grace in the dead 
exercise of their gifts. 

(4.) That going about duty with most confidence 
in themselves, usually gives them the most clear 
discovery of their weakness; yea, when they have 
least looked for any cross, they have then been 
sure to meet with it, with that sad addition, of being 
a surprisal in a secure condition. 

(5.) That sporting with a temptation, may soon 
turn to sad earnest ; and they have found it very 
hard to dance about the fire, and not be burned 



84 THE FULFILLING 

and the temptation which at a distance seemed 
small, upon a nearer approach became another 
thing than they could have believed. 

(6.) That the means whereon they have laid 
most weight, they have found have given them the 
saddest disappointment ; the putting of them in 
God's room, and out of their own place, has been 
the way to make them miscarry, yea, to become 
their cross ; whereas they have often seen some- 
thing unexpected made the means of their help, 
that they might know means are ordered of the 
Lord, and are useful because he makes them so. 

(7.) Their experience can also witness that car- 
nal confidence is usually punished with carnal dif- 
fidence and despondency of spirit ; one extremity 
being made the punishment of the other, like the 
hot and cold fits of an ague, which mutually make 
one another more intense, yea, that their immo- 
derate confidence and expectation have afterwards 
resolved in as immoderate discouragement. 

2. The Christian's neglect of watchfulness, the 
intermitting of that necessary and commanded duty, 
is threatened in the word, Matt. xxvi. 41 ; Luke 
xxi. 34—36. 

(1.) They find that it is not easy to guide their 
walk and conversation when their guard over the 
heart slackens, but the giving loose reins for a little 
may make a sad and large breach, that many, 
many days will not easily make up; yea, a sensible 
withdrawing of the Spirit, and drying up of their 
life, is the usual fruit which unwatchfulness brings 
forth. 

(2.) That this causes a low ebb after the greatest 
enlargement, and that the swelling of the flesh 
usually follows such a condition. 

(3.) That when once the heart lies open, it is 



OP THE SCRIPTURE. 85 

quickly seized on, and made a prey ; yea, that sin 
has a swift progress from the thoughts to the ima- 
gination, and thence to the affeclions. 

(4.) That unwatchfulness has often turned the 
most special times and opportunities for advantage 
to the greatest loss, which has put them further 
behind than they were, has turned their retirement 
and solitude to be their snare, made the desert 
worse and more dangerous than the city; and made 
them find that vain thoughts, the following whereof 
seems pleasant to the mouth, will prove gall and 
wormwood to the spirit, there being no sadder com- 
pany than a man's spirit let loose upon itself. 

(5.) That unwatchfulness has an undoubted ten- 
dency to cast off prayer, and that it is hard in the 
evening to retire to God whilst the heart is abroad 
all the day, and to be religious in worship when 
men are not so in their walk ; yea, that this will 
bring their distemper within, to some disorder, im- 
pertinency, or passion in their words or outward 
communication. 

3. To restrain prayer, and neglect calling on 
God is an evil also which the word threatens, Job 
XV. 4; Matt. xxvi. 41. 

(1.) That they have found this giving life and 
increase to their prevailing evils, and that corrup- 
tion is then sensibly growing, when the lively ex- 
ercise of prayer begins to be intermitted. 

(2.) That this wears out their spiritual life, and 
brings a consumption upon the vital spirits of 
Christianity; so that those who once flourished 
and kept green, as by the scent of water, and that 
correspondence which they had with the Fountain 
of their life while his dew lay all night on their 
branches, have through neglect of prayer been 
8 



86 THE FULFILLING 

brought to a poor shadow ; so that though some- 
times the greatness of their loss and distemper has 
been hid from themselves, yet, it might be easily 
discerned by others. 

(3.) That discontinuance of prayer and of de- 
light therein, will quickly make them disrelish any 
other part of religion, put them out of frame to 
meditate, or give thanks, or entertain fellowship 
with the saints; yea, the more lively and spiritual 
these are, the more they are a burden, and torment 
to them. 

(4.) That this is a strong temptation to a further 
forbearance, and will sensibly wear out any sense 
of their need, and make them stran ers to them- 
selves and to their own case, so that the less they 
are in this exercise, the further they shall be indis- 
posed ; and the fewer prayers they offer, the less 
they feel the necessity of any. 

(5.) That the neglect of prayer makes a heavy 
burden, multiplies difficulties, and causes their care 
to grow ; they must bear their burden alone, and 
with heaviness take counsel within themselves, 
white they use not this blessed remedy. 

4. We find the word threatens defection from 
the truth in a time of trial, as an evil into which 
those that are kept by grace from final apostasy 
may yet fall, through the violence of a temptation, 
Psa. Ixxxix. 30—32; Jer. ix. 13—16. 

(1.) That in one day they may adventure on that 
which through most of their life they cannot over- 
come ; that their giving the Lord's work a wrong 
touch is one of those things which scarcely leaves 
them all their life, but beyond other sins this has 
still come up with a bitter and heavy reflection ; 
yea, in the evening of their life this has been so 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 87 

heavy on their spirit, that they were forced to wit- 
ness their sense of it before the world, ere they 
could obtain any ease. 

(2.) That the Lord usually meets this with some 
sharp and public reproof even before men, to testify 
that though he pardon his people, yea, give some 
sensible intimation thereof to their souls, yet he has 
not omitted to give some visible mark of his dis- 
pleasure for such a thing. 

(3.) They see that a crooked and unclean way 
proves not the means of extricating them out of 
trouble, but their difficulties have been made to 
grow therewith ; yea, they have found that which 
they avoided in God's way, has more sadly met 
them in another road ; and that there is a thick 
dreg in the bottom of the cup, which makes it 
worse to drink thereof at the close than at the 
beginning. 

(4.) That it is not easy to make a stand in 
turning aside from the way of God ; a retrograde 
motion is very violent, and yielding in a little will 
bring with it some necessity of going further. 

(5.) That the rejection of some clear opportunity 
to give a testimony to the truth when called thereto, 
has turned to be their judgment, and prevented 
their being further useful in that manner. 

5. The word clearly threatens our want of mor- 
tification to outward things, Rom. viii. 6, 7. 

(1.) That God has often turned their idol to be 
their cross ; put a mark of his jealousy on their 
dearest things, when once men have put them in 
his room; yea, frequent observation of the Lord's 
way shows, if they would lose a thing, they may 
set their hearts immoderately on it; such eagerness 
and exorbitancy of affection being a sure presage it 



88 THE FULFILLING 

shall either be their judgment or sorrow, or cease 
to exist at all. 

(2.) That outward things never yielded less than 
when they pressed them most; that when they are 
eager in pursuit of the world and satisfaction therein, 
their spirits are sensibly hurried with many pertur- 
bations, so that they must say, that which keeps 
them from enjoying God, also hinders the comfort- 
able enjoyment of themselves. 

(3.) They have found that slow advance in the 
work of mortification has at last doubled their 
wound, and been the concurring cause of some 
very sharp remedy, when the disease came to that 
height, that an ordinary potion could not suffice. 

(4.) That immoderate desire and pressing after 
an outward thing, has sometimes been answered, 
but they have also procured therewith a sharp re- 
proof from the Lord, yea, usually they have found 
small satisfaction in their enjoying that about which 
they were so unsober in their pursuit. " Give me 
children, or else I die," said Rachel: she got chil- 
dren and she died in bringing one of them forth, 
Gen. XXX. 1; xxxv. 18. 

(5.) Their experience can also witness how 
over-caring anxiety has often caused things to thrive 
worse under their hand, whereas they never found 
a more satisfying issue, than by a quiet, submissive 
dependence on the Lord. 

6. The doing violence to light, and sinning 
against the conscience, as it is clearly threatened 
in the word, so likewise the sad effects thereof 
have been clearly witnessed in all ages, Psa. Ixxxi. 
11, 12; Prov. xxix. 1. 

(1.) That this has a direct tendency to the fur^ 
ther darkening of their light, and to a judicial har- 
dening; and that reproofs not entertained usually 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 89 

become less frequent, yea, less pungent and search- 
ing; their heart then does not so easily smite them, 
so as they can now digest greater things, who would 
sometimes have stood at what was comparatively 
very small. 

(2.) That when they would not read their bosom 
sin, which was pointed out both by the word and 
conscience, others have read the same written on 
their forehead ; and the shifting of discovered guilt 
or the serious endeavour to get the quarrel settled 
in secret between God and them, has brought the 
matter at last to some public hearing, even before 
the world. 

(3.) That the wilful darkening of their light, 
when they would again and again inquire if such a 
thing were warrantable, concerning which the Lord 
had once cleared their mind, is a most perilous 
thing, yea, has procured an answer according to 
the idol of their heart, and their choice made to be 
their judgment. 

I shall but add how dreadful it is to give the con- 
science a wrench, which is more easily hurt than 
healed ; that deliberate adventuring on the occasion 
of a temptation, going like Peter to the high priest's 
hall without warrant, has cost them dear. 

I know it is by serious and experienced Chris- 
tians, and by them only, that this argument can be 
understood. This grave convincing argument of 
experience has no weight to others, for strangers 
intermeddle not with that joy, and therefore fancy 
it a pure fiction, as the only expedient and preser- 
vative to their hearts from the horror and inexpres- 
sible torment which must seize on them, if the 
certainty and necessity of godliness were granted. 
But with such I must here crave a serious and free 
communion, yea, in so great and important a busi- 
ed 



90 THE FULFILLING 

ness, must entreat that they would not shut their 
eyes, but allow reason that weight which they 
would in any other case. On what ground do 
you reject this great witness of experience? If 
you deny it because you have not found it, do not 
others assert this because they surely know it? 
And their assertion has these two advantages: 1, 
That they once had the same sentiment and opi- 
nion with you, which they now reflect on with 
much horror. 2. The reality of its effects on 
them proves both the reality of the cause, and the 
excellency thereof; and now if these men be in- 
deed serious and their testimony true, are you not 
in a sad and dreadful case? You cannot think to 
lodge together at night, or that your interest and 
theirs which have been so very opposite here, will 
meet in another world ; you must surely land at 
some other port, if through all your life you have 
walked so contrary to them. O ! sit with your- 
selves alone, and consider this : you hate serious 
religion, and therefore you reproach it; will you 
take such a revenge on yourselves, and out of pre- 
judice to it, incur so great and eternal a ruin? But 
know assuredly it is not what you judged, and if 
once you pass in this delusion that great and last 
step between time and eternity, you are undone, 
undone for ever ! And, surely if you admit the 
authority of this Scripture, you cannot dispute the 
Christian's experience, while there you have so 
great a cloud of witnesses, who bear that same * .s- 
timony. 

Now I would here offer some rational grounds, 
which may convincingly demonstrate, even to the 
world, that this testimony which the saints in ail 
ages bear to the truth, can be no cunning device or 
falsehood ; for, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 91 

1. That must be a sure testimony if you believe 
that they who declare the same have the sense of 
a Deity, and have any truth or moral candour ; 
for it is a clear dilemma, that either they who wit- 
ness this are impostors of the highest degree, yea, 
in atheism and gross deceit must exceed all the 
world besides, or what they witness is true. Now, 
for the first, I shall crave no more in their behalf, 
but an appeal to your conscience and sober 
thoughts. 

2. This testimony must be sure, if you but 
allow them the use of judgment and reason, and do 
not judge them wholly mad ; for it were a strange 
and unheard of madness, that men should pursue a 
shadow with such great seriousness, and venture 
so far, if religion were not a reality. If Chris- 
tians do not experience what they profess to others, 
they are either in the highest measure profligate, 
even beyond the ordinary rate and depravity of 
human nature, or they must be under a strange 
madness and delirium ; they must either design to 
cheat the world or themselves. But though their 
adversaries could wish to have it so, I think their 
malice will not make them so mad as to own that 
pretence ; and since that cannot be alleged, I pro- 
fess, were I the greatest atheist, I could not seri- 
ously consider the walk of such who are tender 
Christians without astonishment, or conceive how 
in such a world, and at so many visible disadvan- 
tages, they should be thus engaged on any other 
consideration, than the truth and reality of Chris- 
tianity. 

3. Do you not see this is their testimony who 
are willing to be tried therein, and to render a rea- 
son of the hope which is in them ? Yea, they in 
this do offer themselves for trial, and with greatest 



92 THE FULFILLING 

seriousness entreat the world not to credit impli- 
citly their witness and take it on trust, but to put 
it to the most exact inquiry and search ; and truly 
I know not what pretence unbelievers have to dis* 
pute this witness, until from their own experience 
they can contradict it. 

4. If you grant any such thing as moral cer- 
tainty, should you not admit this for a sure testi- 
mony ? for you know by two witnesses a matter 
is judicially established ; but is it not more con- 
firming when they are of known judgment and in- 
tegrity? yea, when out of diverse and remote 
places of the earth, and strangers among them- 
selves ; and yet more, that not only when dying 
they own and assert this, but are willing to die 
upon a testimony thereto and seal it with their 
blood, and this also through all ages? O what can 
be more convincing as to moral certainty ? 

5. You must judge them all to verify the Scrip- 
ture from experience, on whose practice you see 
it so convincingly transcribed. Are not those seen 
to be the most tender serious Christians whose 
way has the greatest authority over your con- 
science? 

6. Is not this their testimony also, whom on 
your exactest and most narrow notice you see to 
study religion in the secret and retired duties there- 
of? Here some other interest than the observation 
of men must be an incitement. Yea, may you not 
observe there are some who seriously own the 
practice of these duties, when the view of those 
about them might rather discourage than persuade ? 
and whilst you are scandalized by the light pro- 
fession of many within the church, do but also ask 
your conscience, if there be not such whose way 
you must justify, even in opposition to your hatred 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 93 

and prejudice against them? Yea, their growth 
under the ground, and seriousness in what they 
profess, may be clearly discerned from naked and 
empty show. 

7. Can they intend by such a testimony to de- 
ceive others, who have often been in so great fear 
and disquiet that they be not themselves deceived ? 
O how convincing may it be to the world to con- 
sider what perplexing queries and doubts Chris- 
tians have sometimes about their own inward case. 
It is strange that this puts not atheists to a more 
serious inquiry, what such changes can mean which 
will make men differ so far from themselves, when 
no outward cause can be discerned] It is true, 
some matters lie much under ground ; the " heart 
knows its own bitterness, and a stranger doth not 
intermeddle with its joy;" yea, the deepest plunge 
and exercise may make little noise without : yet 
this is sure, there is so much under these vicissi- 
tudes as may leave some conviction even to by- 
standers, that their enjoyments must be true and 
real, when the want thereof is so sensibly felt; and 
the world is not so stupidly inadvertent as not to 
observe this, if they did not shut their eyes for fear 
of the discovery. 

8. Should not their testimony be very convinc- 
ing whose complaints are oftener against them- 
selves than others ; who are often bemoaning over 
those evils which the eyes of man could not reach? 
May not the world see how some are pressed with 
anguish of soul, even to the wasting of their body, 
when no cause from without is known, though they 
are otherwise rational and most composed ; yea, 
may it not sometimes be discerned, that there is 
more smothered within, than appears without? For 



94 THE FULFILLING 

grief in earnest wants not some peculiar marks by 
which it may be evidenced to others. 

9. This is their testimony whose confidence and 
composure of spirit in the greatest exigencies may 
witness to others the persuasion they have of the 
truth within their souls. O, doth not this show 
that the grace of God, and a new nature, is another 
thing than words ; and that they must surely find 
satisfaction in these duties, which make religion 
to them a special delight and pleasure, when to you 
it is an intolerable burden ? 

10. Do you not see how these men agree every- 
where, and at all times, that the Scripture is veri- 
fied by experience ; and that the breathings and in- 
fluences of God on the soul meet them in the way 
of duty according to the promise, even whilst they 
most remarkably differ amongst themselves in their 
natural temper and disposition. And is it not 
known, that whatever lesser differences are too 
frequent amongst them through the prevalence of 
corruption, yet no reflection on the truth of godli- 
ness will be found amongst them when their reflec- 
tions are most bitter one upon another? Whilst 
you have heard the sad regrets of dying Christians 
concerning their short-coming in the study of godli- 
ness, have not their complaints tended to commend 
religion and the excellency thereof, and to reflect 
only upon themselves ? 

11. Is not this the testimony of those who act 
deliberately, and have a rational account to give of 
the grounds on which they walk ? and do you not 
find they are men as well as Christians, that none 
are more friendly to reason and the right exercise 
thereof, than such who are most serious in the 
study of religion ? 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 95 

12. Is not your readiness to dispute the Chris- 
tian's testimony, from a rooted prejudice and en- 
mity at the way of the Lord, whereof you can give 
no reason ; yea, have you not often reproached 
Christians at a distance, whom upon a more par- 
ticular acquaintance you have from irresistible con- 
viction been forced to justify? For godhness has 
this singular advantage, that none will reproach it 
but those who never knew it. O, it is strange 
with what liberty men can deride religion, who yet 
dare not go alone to have some serious thoughts 
about it. 

13, I know you will not deny there is such a 
thing as hypocrisy and a false show of godliness, 
yet surely you have no ground to question the 
truth and power of that which is so convincingly 
attested even by hypocrisy; for there could be no 
use for that imposture, if there were not also a truth 
and reality therein. You cannot conceive a coun- 
terfeit, but as it stands related to that which is true. 
If there were not such a thing as serious godliness, 
the world could never have known how to person- 
ate it. Could there be a lie, if there were not a 
truth ? You see, also, that it is the most serious 
discerning Christians whom hypocrites do usually 
fear and have an awful regard of; for which there 
were no ground, if they were not conscious of the 
truth of that in others, whereof they only study the 
appearance. Yea, here I must also appeal to the 
world and ordinary lookers-on, if there be not, even 
to them, some discernible difference between the 
power of rehgion and an empty show; between 
those who are serious and tender in following the 
Lord, and others who glory in appearance but not 
in heart ; for the one has a living air and breath, 
which by no art or cunning can be drawn to the 



96 THE FULFILLING 

life, any more than an exquisite painter, with the 
choicest colours, can paint the vital acts of breathing 
and nrtoving. 

14. Can you not see that holiness must be some 
excellent thing, which has such credit even with 
its adversaries and with the worst of men, as to 
make them grasp at the appearance and shadow of 
that which others know they hate the power and 
practice of? 

15. Can you deny that there are such Christians 
in the world, yea, many such, of whom it must be 
said, even their enemies being judges, that their 
being serious in that way must be for itself, and 
has no outward design or interest to which it can 
be subservient, whilst in this often they run the 
greatest hazard, and are rendered a prey to others? 
O, must not that be a marvellous thing, which has 
such dominion over the soul as to teach men the 
practice of self-denial, and not only to quit, but to 
quit cheerfully, their nearest interest, to smile on 
the spoilers, to rejoice in their sufferings and re- 
proaches, to forgive wrongs, and take revenge by 
goodwill? This is indeed above nature, and is 
peculiar to Christianity. 

16. You may see what different sizes are amongst 
the saints, and how great a difference there is 
between the experiences of one and another ; some 
made to witness much bitterness in departing from 
God, and others a singular advantage in drawing 
near to him ; yea, how near sometimes will great 
extremes in their condition border on each other ; 
and when you see how much these men differ 
among themselves, and yet that all these differences 
meet together and concur, do not these very dif- 
ferences prove the reality of religion ? 

But O, what can be said here, where weeping 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 97 

is more fit than words, to see what contempt the 
great part of men put on serious religion, which 
truly raises them above the condition of the beasts? 
Is not the atheism of the time at that height that 
we must say the assault of the adversary is not so 
much at one single truth, as at the root and being: 
of all religion ? And truly we may fear some sharp 
and extraordinary cure to recover this generation,, 
of a disease that seems in an ordinary way in- 
curable. 

I shall but further offer these few queries, and 
plead so far with the adversaries that they would, 
before they pass them, have but some few thoughts 
thereon. 1. If there be a God, or a truth in any 
religion, must you not receive this blessed record 
of the Scripture as the alone rule thereof? Yea, 
if your judgment and conscience be not both ex- 
tinct, must you not consent to the law and doc- 
trine therein held forth as good, whatever be your 
aversion to it? 2. Is not an immortal soul of 
more value to you than the whole world ? 3. You 
seem to be in doubt whether there be another world, 
a heaven or a hell ; but O, are you sure there is 
not, and how then can you rest secure? 4. What 
a horrid and uncomfortable thing is it to be an 
atheist, and to have no hope beyond this present life? 
Yea, what a world would this be to dwell in, if 
there were no true godliness in it, since, without 
this, no comfortable human society, no kindly and 
right subjection to the magistrate, can be expected. 

5. Is not there a native tendency in atheism to all 
ungodliness in practice ; yea, how far does it de- 
base human nature, and level it with the beasts. 

6. Whilst you scoff at serious religion, I dare ap- 
peal to yourselves, if in your retirements, when 
you have any sober reflections, you are not forced 

9 



98 THE FIJLFILLIlSrG 

to have other thoughts ? Why is it you so much 
fear to be alone, and be in any measure serious 
with your soul ? 

I shall only add, is it not rare to find a professed 
atheist at death, when once the approach of another 
world awakens the sense of a Deity? It is com- 
mon to see men who have sported at godliness in 
their life, weep over that wretched mirth when it 
comes to death, and call for the ministers whom 
once they hated ; and O, what a dreadful cure will 
hell be of atheism ! for there they know the truth 
in earnest, though it be their terror : it is sure the 
devil is no atheist. 

I must, before I pass this argument, speak a 
word to those who know and have experienced the 
same. O how great should this be in our eyes, 
and with what astonishment should we consider it ! 
If but one person in an age, or if even every par- 
ticular Christian were but once, at some solemn 
time of his life thus confirmed, that he could say, 
that he did then taste and see the word, and found 
it surely verified on his soul, at what a rate would 
he value and preserve so singular a seal and con- 
firmation of the truth, yea, keep up the remem- 
brance of such a special time so long as he lived! 
But O, must it be said that this grave witness of 
the Scripture, and of the certainty of the words of 
truth which we have by experience, loses its 
weight, and the inestimable value thereof is less 
regarded, because it is the Christian's daily bread? 
O what a reach has this argument ; what great 
things are there held forth ! I think a serious 
view of this, if it were brought near to us, might 
put us to question whether we believe or not. Are 
we in a dream or awake? Let us bring this argu- 
ment near, and gravely consider with respect tQ 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 99 

some of those great truths which are witnessed by 
this unanswerable denaonstration of experience. 

I. Does not this argument of experience wit- 
ness the great truth of a Godhead, whereon the 
whole superstructure of truth and godliness stands? 
yea, enforce on men the persuasion of this by a 
more near and convincing discovery than the great- 
est works of God, or those glorious appearances 
of his power and wisdom in the heavens and 
earth] It is true, those bring him near to our eye 
and ear, but this brings the blessed and invisible 
God into the heart and soul, that we may both 
taste and see that surely he is, and is that which 
in the Scripture he is declared to be. It is not the 
contemplation of nature in its highest flight that 
can answer such an assault of the devil, which may 
try the most established Christian concerning the 
being of God. But there is a demonstration within 
which goes further than the judgment, and passes 
natural understanding, whence we feel, we taste, 
we enjoy Him ; yea, his voice is heard in the soul. 
There is, indeed, cause to wonder at the atheism 
of this world, since men can look nowhere without 
some witness of a Deity to stare them in the face. 
But there is a more refined atheism, that lies in the 
bosom of a professed assent to divine truth, and is 
not easily discerned ; though not the less dreadful 
because it goes under a cover, not only from the 
view of others, but even from a man's self. I 
Would here propound some things which witness 
a special advantage the godly man has to believe, 
and to be more thoroughly persuaded of the glo- 
rious being of God. 1. That he finds the believing 
of this is a very great thing, and not so easy to 
reach as the world supposes, for it is no small 
matter even to attain to this. O what ordinary 



100 THE FULFILLING 

thoughts have many about it, who think it easy to 
give an assent to this marvellous truth, because 
they never considered the greatness thereof! But 
it is sure that the more serious and grave a Chris- 
tian is, the more will he be exercised about this. 
2. It is a great advantage when we seek after a 
further estabhshment in this great truth. What a 
satisfying persuasion of his blessed being might 
we have, if our souls were indeed herein exerci- 
sed! There is a nearer approach to God, which 
would show us that the faith of a Deity is some- 
thing beyond the former thoughts we have had 
thereof. 3. They are at a special advantage to 
whom believing of this truth is their exceeding 
joy, and who, amidst their heaviness can say, that 
the thought and meditation of Him is sweet ; that 
when through a variety of temptations, they are 
ready to faint, this restores their soul. O what 
a thing is it in such a -world, and in some deep 
perplexing plunge, to know the Lord is God, a 
Rock and a Shield now, and in the close of time 
our exceedmg great Reward ! Can we have se- 
rious thoughts of this, and so easily turn ourselves 
to other things, without astonishment; yea, is it 
not strange there should be often so quick a transi- 
tion between our thoughts of the glorious God and 
attention to the meanest trifle ? 4. It is no small 
advantage when men can open the Bible, and re- 
tire into it under the sense and impression of a 
Godhead, and that near correspondence he has in 
this way with his people, to whose soul the words, 
"Thus saith the Lord," carry awe and authority. 
5. They have come a great length, who in their 
ordinary walk are under some weight and impres- 
sion that God is near, from whose sight they can- 
not hide one thought, yea, that on Him they have 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 101 

such an absolute dependence, that without Him 
they cannot draw their breath. 

II. Does not this argument of experience by a 
sure and unanswerable demonstration witness the 
truth and reality of grace, that there is such a thing, 
and that it is no empty sound, seeing it raises man 
above the natural state of men, as far as reason 
puts him above the state of the beast ! Strange that 
this should be believed, and that yet we can be at 
such rest whilst one of these two lies under debate, 
the reality of grace, or our being really interested 
therein ! O is there not cause of astonishment 
that such a product of heaven should be found in 
the earth, whose descent and original is so clearly 
demonstrated by its breathing upwards after God, 
by its native tendency and motion towards him, 
whence it came ? Surely, grace is a great subject 
to think on, and if not so in our eyes, it must be 
either that we do not believe it, or do not consider 
what a change it makes in the soul. It lifts the 
soul up from the clay ; yea, by bringing it low in 
its own eyes, raises it nearer God. This makes a 
man to have an appearance on which the world is 
forced to look with some astonishment ; one Chris- 
tian admires this in another, and the more it shows 
itself, it causes a more near approach between 
their souls ; it will create fear in those who hate it, 
and has a power even over its persecutors. Now 
it is the truth and reality of this excellent thing 
that this argument witnesses ; yea, such a witness 
that can admit no exception. A serious look and 
persuasion of this may make the Christian's Hfe a 
continued wonder, that there is such a thing, which 
by a marvellous surprisal prevented him when he 
was not aware, led him into a new world, and 
translated him from a state of darkness to marvel- 
9* 



102 THE FULFILLING 

lous light ; which causes the soul to breathe in 
another air, brings him near the state of the angels, 
subdues the will without violence, and subjects it 
with its own consent ! Surely this is one of the 
most stately pieces of the work of God, and ex- 
ceeding the whole structure of the universe ! O 
with what astonishment should we look on this 
marvellous thing, if we could consider the whole 
frame and structure of the grace of God in a Chris- 
tian, and make, as it were, a dissection of its several 
parts and proportions, see its decay and languishing, 
its different changes and sizes, its vigorous acting 
and abatements, how it breathes and is nourished, 
how it is kept green and preserved by a continued 
intercourse with the Fountain of its being ! And 
lo, whilst we consider this great wonder, both in 
the whole and in its parts, we may see how it does 
most exactly answer that model which we have 
thereof in the Scripture of God ! 

III. This is a great argument, and should be so 
in our eyes, which not only witnesses the reality 
of grace in its acting and exercise, but unanswer- 
ably demonstrates a spiritual life and being, which 
the Christian knows and is as persuaded of, as he 
is sure that he breathes and has a natural life. O 
what a marvellous demonstration is this, wherein 
sense and feeling do in as certain a way concur, 
as in any discovery we have by our outward senses ! 
1. It may indeed cause our wonder to think we 
are men, and that we have a rational being; but a 
spiritual Hfe is another cause for wondering: a life 
which comes not by our birth, has no natural 
causes, yet a life that has its proper operation and 
vital acts put forth as truly as those natural actions 
of breathing and moving are put forth by a living 
man; a life that has in as sensible a way its quick- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 103 

ening and refreshing influences, as the earth or 
bodies of men know the influences of the heavens; 
which has a pleasure and delight peculiar to its 
nature, that has no aflinity with things we enjoy 
by the senses, but is a pleasure far exceeding the 
same. 2. What a demonstration is it which, even 
to our sense and feeling, witnesses a power on the 
soul by the word, above the most persuasive words 
of man, and above all moral influences, by which 
men are not only touched, but transformed into the 
same image ! 3. If this demonstration of a spiritual 
hfe be^sure, have we not thus an eternal hfe and 
being with God put beyond debate ; for, if we be 
certain of the one, is it not undeniable that this 
noble being of the new creature, this life that is 
here begun, must have a more full growth, and be 
at the iiirthest stature of the man in Christ ; for 
the one is surely demonstrative of the other, even 
as a young child, which we see in a growing ten- 
dency towards a man, shows that he will be a man 
in his full growth. 4. If we assuredly know this 
spiritual life, must we not also admit the undoubted 
truth of spiritual beings, and of an invisible world 
with which this life has its correspondence, yea, 
thus as by a stream be led up to the true Fountain, 
the invisible God? 

IV. How great an argument is this which gives 
us such a demonstration that heaven is not alto- 
gether deferred until we be there, but that there is 
such a thing as the real presence of the glorious 
God, and a near familiar approach of him to the 
soul, which is here as really felt and enjoyed as 
any thing we can be sure of! O how marvellous 
should this be to us ! I cannot doubt but the report 
hereof sometimes dazzles the world with amaze- 
ment, and puts the grossest of men to strange 



104 THE FULFILLING 

thoughts. I have sometimes thought it strange 
how men are taken even with a kind of transport, 
with the discovery of some rare experiment and 
demonstration in nature, which could make that 
poor man cry out evfViKo,,^ as though therewith he 
had gained the whole earth. But O here is another 
kind of demonstration, of a more transcendent value 
and interest! This indeed rises above the reach of 
those who have followed the search o.f nature with 
a most exact and subtile inquiry. O blessed are 
the souls who have found it ! for they have found 
a treasure, the thoughts whereof may make it a 
new thing every day ; not only a claim and title to 
the inheritance above, but the first fruits and ear- 
nest thereof already enjoyed. Have they not cause 
both for joy and wondering, who can say, and not 
from report, I do surely feel, I enjoy, I am per- 
suaded, this is the Lord; and thus have come 
forth from him with such a change on their souls, 
and composure of mind, that even by-standers 
might see where they have been ? Now this is the 
witness which all who are serious in the way of 
the Lord can in some measure bear, that in a way 
no less sure and demonstrative than any thing here 
beneath can be known, they have had such a dis- 
covery ; and now these scripture truths they un- 
derstand, the meaning whereof they once could not 
know, such as, their soul melting within at the 
voice of their beloved, to have his name as oint- 
ment poured forth, and to be brought near to see 
his face with joy. Cant. v. 2, 4; i. 3; 2 Cor. iii. 18. 
V. This is an argument which clearly witnesses 
a truth and reality in prayer, which may be called 



* " I have found it." This is written of Archimedes, 
the mathematician. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 105 

one of the great wonders of religion. Is not this 
a very great thing, that poor man, now upon the 
earth, has such a passage to heaven, and may 
speak to Him who inliabits eternity, the glorious 
object of the adoration of angels, without the in- 
tervening of any creature ; yea, with so sure a 
warrant may approach the throne of God, and 
there pour out his soul, and present his requests 
unto Him who lives and sees? O with what 
astonishment should we consider this ! Suppose 
at some solemn times in our life only this might 
be attained, yea, but in one part of the earth, should 
we not reckon an abode there, were it a barren de- 
sert and wilderness, to be preferable to all other 
advantages, and look on the whole earth besides 
as accursed ? It may truly be a question, whilst 
we are most in the practice of this duty, if we be- 
lieve the truth and reality thereof; but it is beyond 
question what Christians have most sensibly found 
here. They can say, if they be sure they have 
souls, they have been as sure that they have had 
their souls restored in prayer, and that under some 
desertion they have at last prevailed by wrestling, 
and been again visited by God's favour. 

But does it not seem strange, if seriously con- 
sidered, 1. That we are not more restless to be 
surely persuaded concerning this, which we should 
look on as an inestimable treasure, both for our 
joy and establishment? 2. It is strange we can 
find it so easy a matter to pray and appear before 
God, that we are not afraid to be hasty in uttering 
a matter before Him, whilst we consider God is 
in heaven, and we are on the earth ! 3. It may 
seem strange how easily we can step out from the 
world, and the noise thereof, at once before the 
Lord, without the least pause or time intervening ; 



106 THE FULFILLING 

yea, so immediately in our return again step into 
the world, as if we had wholly forgotten where 
we have been ! 4. How strange is formality in 
such a business as prayer, which is an address to 
the living God, one of the most solemn acts of the 
soul ! yea, we may call it the most natural work 
of a Christian, like the breathing of the child after 
the breasts ; alas ! it is sad that this seems many 
times rather a piece of invention than a matter of 
earnestness with the Lord. O to what class can 
such a piece of atheism be reduced, as appears in 
our nearest approaches to God ? 5. Should we 
look on prayer as a duty, and not consider it as a 
singular enjoyment also, without which this earth 
would have an exact appearance of hell 1 O what 
thoughts should we have of prayer, if the truth 
thereof were more believed ! I think that man 
who is sure of the being and faithfulness of God, 
and of the reality of prayer, need not be solicitous 
with what face the world looks on him, when thus 
his great interest and encouragement is secure, and 
a well is at hand which can supply all his wants. 

VI. Have we not demonstration also, by this 
argument of experience, how near the blessed ma- 
jesty of God, in the way of providence, approaches 
to his people, and is surely known by the real cor- 
respondence which he has with them in this way? 
It is true. He is great in the smallest things ; but 
there is a more solemn and near approach to men 
in some special steps of H^is providence ; yea. He 
sometimes speaks as with an audible voice, and so 
opens the ear of men, and seals their instruction, 
as, "in the hidden part to make them to know 
wisdom," Psa. li. 6. There is sometimes also so 
wonderful a series of providences, that men cannot 
but see something greater than man therein; whilst 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 107 

yea, so immediately in our return again step into 
the world, as if we had wholly forgotten where 
we have been ! 4. How strange is formality in 
such a business as prayer, which is an address to 
the living God, one of the most solemn acts of the 
soul ! yea, we may call it the most natural work 
of a Christian, like the breathing of the child after 
the breasts ; alas ! it is sad that this seems many 
times rather a piece of invention than a matter of 
earnestness with the Lord. O to what class can 
such a piece of atheism be reduced, as appears in 
our nearest approaches to God ? 5. Should we 
look on prayer as a duty, and not consider it as a 
singular enjoyment also, without which this earth 
would have an exact appearance of hell 1 O what 
thoughts should we have of prayer, if the truth 
thereof were more believed ! I think that man 
who is sure of the being and faithfulness of God, 
and of the reality of prayer, need not be solicitous 
with what face the world looks on him, when thus 
his great interest and encouragement is secure, and 
a well is at hand which can supply all his wants. 

VI. Have we not demonstration also, by this 
argument of experience, how near the blessed ma- 
jesty of God, in the way of providence, approaches 
to his people, and is surely known by the real cor- 
respondence which he has with them in this way? 
It is true. He is great in the smallest things ; but 
there is a more solemn and near approach to men 
in some special steps of His providence ; yea. He 
sometimes speaks as with an audible voice, and so 
opens the ear of men, and seals their instruction, 
as, " in the hidden part to make them to know 
wisdom," Psa. li. 6. There is sometimes also so 
wonderful a series of providences, that men cannot 
but see something greater than man therein; whilst 



108 THE FULFILLING 

church, amidst the various changes of her condi- 
tion, yea, in the most strange things which fall out 
in the world, convincingly verify his word. 
For prosecuting this argument I shall show, 

I. How these general promises which belong to 
the church universal, and concern her in all ages, 
have an accomplishment. 

II. How the threatenings of the word, which 
relate to her adversaries, are certainly fulfilled. 

III. How the Scripture of God clearly shines 
upon the darkest footsteps of providence, even on 
those which seem most hard to understand, so that 
it may be demonstrated that nothing falls out in the 
world, or befalls the saints, but what is most conso- 
nant to the Scripture. 

I. As to the first branch of this argument, I shall 
instance in five general promises, which we find in 
the word concerning the church, and endeavour to 
show their clear and obvious accomplishment. 

1. The first promise is the preservation of the 
church ; that God will be with her to the end of the 
world, and though he make an end of other nations, 
yet will he not make an utter end of her, but while 
the ordinances of the sun and moon do last, and as 
the days of heaven, so shall her days be prolonged, 
Jer. XXX. 11; Matt. xvi. 18. 

(1.) That the church continues and is kept alive 
to this day, certainly proves the truth of God's 
promise ; for she has outlived all her oppose rs, the 
greatest of whom have found their grave in the 
quarrel, over whose tomb that last confession of a 
great adversary, Julian, may be written, " Vicisti 
tandem Galilsee."* Has not this deadly and irre- 

*"Thou hast conquered at length, O Galilean!" 
The words of Julian the Apostate, addressed in his 
dying moments to Christ. 



OP THE SCRIPTURE, 109 

concilable feud been perpetuated from fathers to 
children? but who has prospered in this enter- 
prise ? The archers have often shot and wounded 
her sore, but her bow abides in strength, Gen. xlix, 
23, 24 ; and even to this day this is her motto, 
" Persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but not 
destroyed," 2 Cor. iv. 9. She who has brought forth 
many children, yet ceases not to bear ; her age has 
not marred her beauty, her eyes are not dim, nor 
has her strength failed ; a sight which may cause 
us no less to stand, and consider this great wonder, 
than Moses did at that which was but the shadow 
and emblem thereof — a bush burning, and not con- 
sumed : for behold, a church kept alive, yet still in 
the flames; and when to appearance consumed, it 
arises more glorious out of its own ashes ! This 
is indeed the only phoenix, of whom it can be said, 
She has borne deluges, which like an inundation 
went over her head; even idolatry and paganism 
in the first times, and antichristianism and Arianism 
in the after ages, yet she is not swallowed up. 
Though her enemies have often sung her funeral 
song, and rejoiced over the dead bodies of her wit- 
nesses, yet they have risen again; her dry bones 
have taken life, and come together, and behold, she 
is alive at this day ! 

(2.) Not only the church's preservation, but the 
continued series and succession thereof unto this 
time, witness the fulfilling of this promise, that in 
the darkest times of her condition, she has not alto- 
gether disappeared, though long hid in the wilder- 
ness. Though the church has often cried out for 
the want of children, and has been heard weeping, 
bemoaning herself because they were not, yet she 
has never wanted an offspring to this day. She did 
never die without an heir and seed of her own to 
10 



110 THE FULFILLING 

raise up her name, even since the covenant was 
first made with her in Adam's family; and though 
particular churches have their set times, which like 
the sun have the usual periods of height and 
flourishing, and afterwards a gradual decay making 
way to the departure of light, yet this never made 
void the promise of God to the church universal, 
whose lamp was never put out, nay, shall never be 
extinguished while the days of heaven last. 

(3.) The continuance and preservation of the 
church is peculiar to her, and can be said of no 
other interest and party beneath the sun ; for it is 
clear, that there never was a kingdom or empire 
so firmly rooted, no society so well governed by 
laws, or backed with power, but time at last pre- 
vailed over it, and made the same a trophy of her 
conquest. Yea, the greatest monarchies and flourish- 
ing cities have at last yielded, so as of them it may 
be said, " Nunc seges est ubi Troja fuit."* But 
time cannot to this day boast of a triumph over the 
church of God, though no nation or family in the 
earth could ever plead her antiquity. 

(4.) It clearly demonstrates the truth of this 
promise of the church's preservation, that the 
world, yea^ that greatest atheists, may see this has 
not come to pass at an adventure, nay, not in an 
ordinary way of providence, but by a Divine power ; 
1. Because no interest or party had ever such ad- 
versaries as the church, against whom the powers 
of the world, and the powers of darkness have al- 
ways been active. 2. That outward advantages 
have usually been on her adversaries' side, they 
being not only the great men of the earth, but those 
of greatest parts and abilities. 3. That their will 

* That which once was Troy, is now a corn-field. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 111 

was never wanting to raze her to the foundation. 
4. That this enmity has been rooted and irrecon- 
cilable. 5. That no interest ever endured such 
violent assaults, so many sharp batteries ; for it is 
observable, that many of the wars and commotions 
of various ages have in some way originated on the 
church's account; and whatever private quarrels 
men have had among themselves, yet it has not 
hindered the pursuit of their malice against the 
woman and her seed. 6. That even the men of 
her own house have often been her greatest ene- 
mies. 7. That her real friends have often fainted 
in a time of her trial, and stood afar off. 8. That 
the depths of Satan, in her enemies, as an angel of 
h'ght, have sometimes given her a sore assault, so 
that if it had been possible they would have de- 
ceived the very elect. 9. No other party was ever 
brought so low and near death : the knife was once 
at the church's throat in Isaac. She sought to 
adopt a bond-woman's son, instead of a lawful heir, 
when Abraham agreed to Sarah's overture for the 
accomplishment of the promise : and was near ex- 
piring in Egypt, when the sentence to destroy her 
male issue went forth. Yea, what but a miracle 
could have preserved her, when she was between 
Pharaoh and the Red sea ! How low was the 
church in the wilderness ; and after, in the days of 
the captivity, even broken to pieces with small ap- 
pearance of life, when her face was all blurred with 
weeping, and her enemies made sport over her 
ruins at the rivers of Babylon ; when the children 
ofEdom cried out, "Let us raze her even to the 
foundation !" Yea, could the church be nearer the 
grave, than when her bones were scattered at the 
grave's mouth? But above all, in that dark night 
when her Head and Shepherd was smitten, and 



113 THE FULFILLING 

her hope seemed to be buried in the grave with a 
stone put upon it, when she could get no entertain- 
ment among the Jews, and the Gentiles in wrath 
rose up against her, so that for some hundred years 
the great empire which had trodden down all the 
nations about, put forth the utmost of its power and 
malice for her undoing. O who could have 
thought the church should outlive this ! Yea, after 
all, we find her tossed and hurried into the wilder- 
ness by antichrist, an adversary more cruel than 
any that had gone before, where the dragon watched 
to destroy her ; but in all these, and through that 
long, dark night, she has continued, and marvel- 
lously flourished as the palm tree under greatest 
weights ; so that her enemies cannot deny that the 
promise to the church of her preservation is this 
day fulfilled, yea, that it has not in an ordinary 
way been brought about. Surely there is no en- 
chantment against Jacob, nor divination against 
Israel ; all her enemies have been found liars, for 
the eternal God is her refuge, and underneath are 
the everlasting arms, Numb, xxiii. 23 ; Deut. 
xxxiii. 27. 

2. The second promise which I shall here in- 
stance is that of the church's increase and enlarge- 
ment, Psa. ii. 8; Ixxxix. 25. Isa. xlii. 4; liv. 3. 

As this promise is express in the Scriptures, so 
it is no less clear and evident in its accomplish- 
ment ; for consider, 

(1.) The vast extent which the kingdom of 
Christ has had in the world ; for this cannot be de- 
nied, that the greatest empire or monarchy could 
never so far extend its conquests as the church has 
done, since the wall of partition was taken down. 
Short are the limits of the Grecian and Roman 
empire compared with this, whose bounds have 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 113 

been the ends and uttermost parts of the earth, 
where neither Greece or Rome did ever set up 
their trophies. Has not the gospel as the sun made 
its circuit from the east to the west? Yes, it has 
crossed the seas to the dark northern nations, thus 
fulfilling its course, in order to its return again to 
the place of its first rising ; that it may, as we are 
sure it shall, visit the Jews again, and the eastern 
places of the world that now are buried in a night 
of darkness; which I think will be as sure a pre- 
sage of the break of day, and second coming of the 
Lord, as the morning star is of the sun's accom- 
plishing his course, and that it is returning again 
to the east where it should rise. Has not the gos- 
pel been through Asia, where it did not tarry for a 
night ; and the going back of the tide from thence 
was its flowing to another part of the world ? And 
indeed it is observable of the church, as it is of the 
sea, that what it has lost in one part it has gained 
in another. Did the vast distance of Africa, its 
great barren deserts or scorching heat, hinder the 
gospel's making a visit thither, so that it was once 
a fertile soil, and brought forth many famous lights? 
Yea, something both there, and in the east parts of 
the world yet remains to show the gospel was truly 
in those places. And has Europe, though last, 
been least on this account? What mean the late 
discoveries of unknown parts of the earth, but to 
make way for a more full performance of this pro- 
mise, that the gospel might stretch its conquest 
over the line, that even America might have her 
day also, and the voice of the turtle be heard in 
those lands? 

(2.) Not only the large extent of the church as 
to its bounds witnesses this, but the great and nu- 
merous offspring of sons and da^ughters which were 
10* 



114 THE FULFILLING 

brought forth to Christ in those parts where the 
gospel has been preached ; for what John saw in 
vision has been very manifest to after ages, namely, 
an innumerable company of all tongues, nations, 
and languages, of whom it could be said, These are 
born in Zion. O how great a harvest of the na- 
tions is even already gathered ! What a marvel- 
lous increase has there been in some places after 
special tides of the gospel ! This truth is now be- 
yond debate, that out of one, and him not only as 
good as dead, but truly dead, there has come forth 
a multitude as the sand of the sea and stars of 
heaven in number. The church has inherited 
Joseph's blessing of a fruitful offspring; the dew of 
Christ's youth has been as the womb of the morn- 
ing, Psa. ex. 3. O what a marvellous and goodly 
company will this be when gathered together ! 

(3.) This truth may be demonstrated not only 
from the real conquests of the gospel, and those 
excellent trophies of her victory over many noted 
enemies, who have afterwards been vessels of 
honour, but also from the feigned subjection that 
so many have been obliged to render. Is it not 
strange what a multitude in these times profess 
the truth, and yet hate it, and were never drawn 
with the cords of love? How very many have 
courted the name of a Christian, and the shadow 
of religion, who never knew the truth thereof! 
which certainly is a convincing evidence of the 
gospel's conquests. 

(4.) It is an unanswerable proof of this truth, 
that we see the church's increase and enlargement 
has come to pass most punctually after that manner, 
and with those circumstances which were foretold, 
so that the event does in every thing answer the 
word; for, 1. It is there held out, that from a day 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 115 

of small things which men would be ready to de- 
spise, it should grow up as a tender plant, and 
spread forth its branches over the nations ; that 
the children of the desolate should be more than of 
the married wife, and the glory of the second tem- 
ple exceed that of the first. 2. This great increase 
of the church was to fall out in the days of the 
New Testament, when Christ should be lifted up, 
tliat he should draw all men after him; for the pro- 
mises we have thereof under the Old Testament 
clearly point at the times of the gospel. 3. The 
Scripture says that the falling away of the Jews 
should be the riches of the Gentiles, and that their 
rejection should make way for the fulfilling of 
this promise. 4. The isles and uttermost parts of 
the earth are given to Christ for his inheritance, 
and foretold as a special part of the church's in- 
crease. And do we not clearly see there is no place 
of the world where Christ's kingdom is more visi- 
ble, where more children have been begotten to 
him by the gospel, than in these northern places, 
even in these isles of Britain and Ireland, which 
are almost the uttermost parts of the earth, there 
being comparatively little nearer the pole which is 
inhabited ; yea, we may judge them to have been 
the Thule, whereof the ancients did so much 
speak? 5. Was it not also foretold, that the 
church should possess the gates of her enemies ; that 
at her great increase the world should wonder, the 
princes thereof see and be troubled, while God 
should be known in her palaces for a refuge ; and 
does not the event witness this, that over all the 
counsels and essays which the world has inter- 
posed to hinder the church's growth, her rising 
has always been upon the ruins of her greatest 
enemies ; yea, those who have been a terror in the 



116 THE FULFILLING 

land of the living, did often fall and break them- 
selves in that attempt? 

(5.) As the fulfilling of this promise, concern- 
ing the church's increase, is undeniable, we must 
also say, this is a thing great and marvellous, which 
no less than some divine and extraordinary power 
could bring about, if we consider, 1. That quick 
despatch which the church's growth under the 
days of the New Testament has made. O might 
not the pagan world wonder how, in the space of 
two or three hundred years, it was almost wholly 
become Christian ! O strange ! a Dioclesian and 
a Maximin so grievously persecuting Christianity, 
and yet near that same age, the empire itself, and 
the emperor, submitting to the gospel ! 2. How 
astonishing was it for the church's rise and increase 
to be brought about upon the ruin and downfall of 
the idols of the nations ; that the world should be 
made to renounce its Bible, and that religion which 
for so many ages was deeply rooted by tradition 
from their fathers ; those altars which were had in 
such reverence demolished, and their temples made 
a ruinous heap ; yea, the very name of their gods 
obliterated ; Dagon has no strength to stand before 
the ark of the God of Israel. 3. That it should 
be thus advanced by such a mean as the preaching 
of the word, even of that which to the Jews was 
a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness ; 
that this voice should put to perpetual silence those 
oracles that for so many ages had given a response 
to the world ; yea, that the church's increase should 
be brought about at no less a rate than the over- 
turning of greatest kingdoms ; should tame and 
civilize the most savage and barbarous, cause the 
lion to lie down with the lamb, and even make so 
great and universal a change in the face of the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 117 

world! 4. Does it not evidence some Divine 
power that the church's growth has been effected, 
not only over the violence of men, but over all 
those dreadful errors and inventions, which both 
in former and later times have ascended out of the 
pit to choke her? The church has not only been 
helped to tread upon the lion and dragon, but on 
the adder and cockatrice, and carries the trophies 
of her conquest over all these. 5. Is it not mar- 
vellous that the church's increase has been advan- 
ced in a way most contrary to all the rules of ordi- 
nary policy, by which states and empires have 
risen : not by dissimulation, but by the greatest 
plainness and free dealing, for her ministers never 
flattered the world to embrace the truth ; not by 
open violence, but by a more excellent spirit and 
power, before which men could not stand, where 
foolishness was made to confound and outwit 
human wisdom, and weakness to overcome strength ? 
O how little of man, and how much of God, may 
be seen herein. 

3. The third promise which the Lord has given 
to his church, is the giving of the Spirit, and pour- 
ing out of the same, which is expressly held forth, 
Isa. lix. 21; Zech. xii. 10; John xiv. 17. 

It is true the Christians' inward experience can 
best witness this, for they have an argument from 
within; they know, and they are sure they have 
received the Spirit by the word, whereby they 
understand those things which are spiritually dis- 
cerned. But that which here is intended is, to 
show that the Spirit is truly given to the church 
according to the promise ; that he accompanies the 
truth and doctrine of Christ, and the purity of the 
ordinances, as things which from clear undeniable 
evidences may be demonstrated to the conviction 



118 THE FULFILLING 

of the greatest atheist : for even they who never 
knew any saving work of the Spirit, but who hve 
in those parts where the ordinances are dispensed 
with purity and power, may often see something 
going forth with the word that is beyond words, a 
Divine spirit and power, which sends forth its 
savour in the daily administration of the gospel. 

For (1.) Those excellent gifts and endowments 
given to the church are a visible proof of this. For 
it is undeniable that where once the gospel comes, 
instruments are raised, reapers sent forth and shaped 
for their work, yea, those who were of mean and 
ordinary parts, when called forth to the service of 
the church, will have another lustre, and often do 
not only exceed themselves, but those who were 
of more eminent natural endowments. Whence 
is that variety of gifts, so suitable to the various 
employments the church needs? How are they 
thus suited to the very genius and temper of their 
times ? Whence is it that every gift and qualifica' 
tion is so fitted and disposed for its proper use, 
some most peculiarly shaped out to awake and 
threaten, like Boanerges, while others possess a 
spirit eminently fitted to comfort; some mighty in 
persuasion, yet not so fit to expound; others most 
dexterous to instruct, yet not so powerful to apply; 
some having great knowledge of languages, and 
others the tongue of the learned to speak a word 
in season to the weary ; to some the face of a lion 
is given, when a heroic spirit of courage and reso- 
lution is called for; to others the face of a calf, for 
patient enduring in suffering times? We may say 
of this excellent body of the church, as of the na- 
tural body of man, how curiously, yea, marvellously 
is it framed, where every part answers another, and 
the use of the whole ! Each has its peculiar excel- 



OF THE SCRIPTUKE. 119 

lency, and something peculiar may be seen in 
every man's gift, as well as in the variety of the 
natural face. 

(2.) Those more extraordinary outlettings of the 
Spirit, v^^hich at some special times, when the 
church's necessity requires, have been most dis- 
cernible, also attest this truth. When he is to 
plant the church in some place where the gospel 
will meet with much opposition, is it not then 
manifest, how some more than ordinary power and. 
irresistible efficacy accompanies the truth, before 
which there is no standing? The disputer is then 
confounded in his reasoning by something above 
reason ; the untoward and rude are forced to stoop 
before the word, and to confess they have to do 
with power, and not with words : yea, those whom 
the Lord makes use of, who were feeble and weak 
as others, in that day are made as a brazen wall, 
and a defenced city. 

(3.) Is it not also undeniable that now under the 
New Testament there are ministers of the Spirit, and 
not of a dead letter and empty sound ? That with 
the word, there goes along a ministration of power 
and life whence a majesty and authority attending 
the public ordinances is often so discernible, that 
even those who know not who the Spirit is, are 
made to see something therein which dazzles them 
with astonishment 1 Whence is it that sometimes 
such a beauty and power shine forth in ordinances, 
like a glance of the glory of God, even going be- 
fore men's eyes, which for the present has made a 
wonderful change upon some very gross men, and 
put them in another temper ; yea, forced them with 
fear to acknowledge, that surely God is in the as- 
semblies of his people? Whence is it that the 
word gives law to men's consciences, and speaks 



120 THE FULFILLING 

with such an authority, that even the worst of men 
are sometimes made to stand before the ministry 
of the word, like men standing at the bar upon life 
and death, before a judge whose authority they dare 
not decline ? 

(4.) It is very discernible what a great differ- 
ence there is, both in ministers and Christians, at 
different times in the discharge of duty, as if they 
were not the same persons ; which appears not 
only in the enlargement or straitening of their gift, 
but also in its power and life. With what liberty 
do they sometimes pray, and are as a ship with a 
full gale before the wind ! It is then easy to preach ; 
when at other times even lookers-on may perceive 
a sensible languishing, and their very expressions 
hampered, yea, they are as men rowing against a 
contrary wind, the word wanting that savour and 
relish it has had at other times ; and this not through 
a natural indisposition, or want of preparation, but 
that which all who ever served God in the spirit 
must confess has most sensibly affected them, when 
they have thought themselves at the greatest ad- 
vantage for going about duty. 

(5.) It is also clear, that wherever the Lord has 
had a church, at some special turns of her condi- 
tion there have usually been some more solemn 
times of the Spirit, and high spring-tides of the 
gospel. There was indeed a marvellous flowing 
forth of the Spirit of God after Christ's ascension, 
which, like a mighty current, carried all before it ; 
at which time more success followed one sermon 
than has followed thousands in another age. This 
made the world wonder, as if some universal en- 
chantment had fallen on men, which the more they 
sought to bear down, the more it increased ; which 
made the rich choose poverty, and those who dwelt 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 121 

in palaces betake themselves with cheerfulness to 
the dens and caves of the earth. But besides this, 
it is very manifest, that in a large measure the 
Spirit has been let forth to the church in after 
ages ; yea, there is no particular church, where the 
light has shined, but has had its special times, 
some solemn day of the pouring out of the Spirit 
before the sun went down ; which may be observed 
either at the first entrance of the gospel, or at some 
other remarkable time and change of her condition ; 
whence a great harvest of souls to Christ has fol- 
lowed, besides the reaching of the conscience and 
stirring the affection of many others under a com- 
mon work of the Spirit, which usually goes along 
with such solemn times. 

(6.) The going back of the tide, and the visible 
withdrawing of the Spirit from particular churches, 
where it has sometimes in a large measure been 
let forth, is a very convincing witness to the truth 
of this promise ; for it is clearly seen at what a 
stand the gospel is in these places where it most 
eminently shined ; that the land which blossomed, 
and was like a watered garden, has been made as 
the heath in the wilderness; and that the ministers 
of Christ, whose lot has fallen in such a time, are 
put to work as it were with oars, for want of wind, 
to cast out the net all night, and catch nothing ; a 
shut door is opposed to them in the exercise of 
their ministry, duty is made burdensome, because 
the Lord is against them ; there is an evident re- 
straint upon the word, and its intercourse is more 
with the ear than with the conscience ; yea, all the 
liberty they find is to execute a commission of 
judgment, and to denounce the woe of the gospel. 
Does not so manifest a withdrawing of the Spirit 
11 



122 THE FULFILLING 

witness the outletting thereof, and that it is a cer- 
tain and real thing? 

(7.) Do not the stirrings and strange convictions 
which even the worst of men have sometimes under 
the word, witness a Divine Spirit going along 
therewith ; which forces an assent from their con- 
sciences to the truth, which otherwise they hate, 
yea, makes them for the time wonder they should 
not have been more serious in the ways of God ? 
Yea, it often puts a thorn in the bed of their secu- 
rity ; for indeed the word, and the light thereof, 
torment those who dwell in the earth : and truly 
this is a marvellous thing, which enters upon men's 
secret designs and counsels, reveals to them the 
most close thoughts of their hearts, which they are 
sure man's eye could not reach. They are forced 
to confess what a great difference they find between 
the word from the mouth of some who are holy 
and serious, though spoken in greatest simplicity, 
and from others of greater gifts and eloquence ; 
that surely the one has another sound and relish, 
and speaks more feelingly home to their hearts, 
than the most polished discourse of the greatest 
orators. 

(8.) One witness more I shall here give to the 
truth of this promise, even those eminent examples 
of the grace of God, which in every age have 
shined in the firmament of the church ; some in 
love and zeal, some in patience and humility, 
some in the strong acts of faith and self-denial ; 
which certainly demonstrate a more excellent spirit 
than that which is in the world, whence they appear 
with another lustre in their walk and carriage, and 
have a sweet and fragrant savour of the Spirit to 
the very discerning of bystanders. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 123 

4. We find an express promise in the word of 
deliverance to the church in a low and oppressed 
condition, Psa. xviii. 47 — 50 ; xxii. 4, 5. Isa. li. 
23; Uv. 17. 

It is true, this promise has its bounds and limits, 
which should be taken along in the application 
thereof. We know the covenant of God with par- 
ticular churches is conditioned only. He promises 
that he will be with them while they are with him; 
yea, it is often seen, that a people professing the 
gospel, confederate with God, following duty, have 
even turned their back before the enemy, and in 
the holy providence of God, have for a time been 
given up to their fierce rage and violence ; but it is 
also sure, that this promise has an accomplishment, 
and in the day of the church's trouble, the Lord 
has often appeared by a strong outstretched hand 
for her help; his own arm has brought salvation 
to his people when they sought to him ; for God 
is known in her palaces for a refuge, yea, surely 
the church might often sing that song on such clear 
grounds as though with Israel she had been stand- 
ing at the Red sea, " Thy right hand, O Lord, is 
glorious in power, thy right hand hath dashed in 
pieces the enemy," Exodus xv. 6. To evince 
this : 

(1.) There are few ages but we have some re- 
cord of the church's condition, which hold forth 
such signal, convincing providences of God in be- 
half of his oppressed church and people, as may be 
a manifest seal to this truth. It is true, some times 
have been more remarkable for suffering, times of 
judgment and of trial wherein this truth hath not so 
clearly shined forth, yea, that long night which the 
church had under antichrist might seem to call it 
in question ; but, nevertheless, if men take a seri- 



124 THE FULFILLING 

ous look of the Lord's way in ages past, comparing 
one time with another, what the straits of the 
church have at last resolved in, they will find cause 
to cry with astonishment : Great deliverances 
giveth he to his people, yea, the Lord hath done 
great things for them. I am sure, were there a 
full record of those more remarkable deliverances 
that particular churches have met with, since the 
first planting of the Gospel among them, it would 
silence the world respecting the fulfilment of this 
promise. 

(2.) The confessions even of the church's ene- 
mies have often witnessed, that in pursuing their 
malice to- trouble and undo her, they have but un- 
done themselves; tormenting disappointments have 
caused their very flesh to pine away, and the close 
and issue of their rage forced this conviction from 
them at last, that the church is a burdensome stone 
to be Ufted up ; a party with whom it is full of 
hazard to meddle. They have often discerned 
something of a Divine hand so clearly against them, 
blasting their counsels and most promising attempts, 
as if their eyes, with Balaam, had been opened to 
see the angel in their way ; yea, in all ages it is 
known how the consciences even of the worst have 
often betrayed something of a presaging fear, which 
they have had of those whom they pursued with 
greatest malice, and a dreadful impression they 
had of a praying people, and of their prayers. 

(3.) This truth has had the clearest witness in 
times of the church's greatest extremity, when dif- 
ficulties have appeared insuperable, and help in the 
ordinary way of Providence most hopeless ; when 
visible means have been withdrawn, all refuge fail- 
ed, and none to help : in such a day the Lord has 
been seen upon the mount, and unexpectedly by 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 125 

very strange means brought deliverance to a broken 
and almost ruined church, even as it were between 
the bridge and the water ; so that he who would 
have a clear view of the accomplishment of this 
promise, need but turn back on those more remark- 
able extreme exigences of the church's condition, 
and there see that a sweet sunshine hath followed 
the most dark and cloudy times, a raging storm has 
resolved into a refreshing calm, yea, that with a 
further growth of the church's trial and doubling 
of her burden, her enlargement has suddenly ar- 
rived. 

(4.) The greatest advantage which men have 
got over the churches and people of God, can also 
bear witness that when the wicked have sprung up 
like the grass, and the workers of iniquity seemed 
to flourish, this very way has the Lord taken to 
bring about a more full deliverance : yea, on the 
other hand, it has been very obvious that the 
church's gain has been brought forth out of the 
greatest loss ; that those wounds which seemed 
most deadly, have turned by the infinitely wise 
providence of God to her most effectual and 
thorough cure ; and men's unreasonable violence 
and rage against the church, have often had an evi- 
dent tendency to bring about even that whereto it 
seemed most directly contrary, even some further 
mercy and deliverance, than could have been ex- 
pected ; as the Amorites, in refusing Israel a passage 
through their land, did by that refusal give them 
more than they sought, the possession of that land 
for an inheritance. 

(5.) The observation of the church in all ages 

can attest, that deliverance has often sprung up 

from a quarter, and by such means, as none would 

have expected, by such as none but God could 

11* 



126 THE FULFILLING 

operate ; as a sudden report and rumour, 1 Sam. 
xxiii. 27 : means that have been not only small 
and improbable, but that looked directly contrary, 
as in bringing the church out of Egypt ; yea, 
sometimes by the wicked being ensnared in the 
work of their own hands. Is it not obvious, that 
the Lord has influenced men's private interest to 
induce them to befriend his church ; and has 
caused the earth to help the woman, and raised up 
one oppressor to punish another ; yea, often has 
prepared workmen whence they were least ex- 
pected, to cut the horns of those who had scattered 
his people? 

(6.) There is a convincing witness to the truth 
of such a promise, in the sudden, remarkable 
change which may be often discerned, both on 
men's inward frame and the outward face of the 
church, when a time of mercy and enlargement is 
come ; instruments raised of the Lord, with a dis- 
cernible elevation of their spirits to act and do ex- 
ploits ; the feeble then made strong, and those who 
sometimes would have fainted at an ordinary piece 
of service, dare with such a gale of Divine assist- 
ance, to run as it were through a troop, and leap 
over a wall. For indeed this may in all ages be 
obvious, how easy it is to move in the day when 
the Lord moves for his people, and strengthens the 
girdle of their loins ; that it was not their bow or 
sword which got them the victory, but the very 
finger of God ; so that even at some distance, they 
who are wise to discern the times did see when 
there was a day-break of a church's hope ; how a 
previous motion and stir among the dry bones has 
been then discernible, and given some promising 
appearance from the present disposition and temper 
of the godly in that time ; a promise which, like 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 127 

the rising of the cloud on the top of mount Garmel, 
though at first but as a handbreadth, has showed 
that deliverance to the church was not far off. 

(7.) I would add, those convincing providences 
which in all ages have been shown against the 
enemies of the church, such as men could not 
pass without some remark. How they have be- 
come a most abject and contemptible party, like 
bees which have lost their sting ; their countenance 
has been changed, and they ceased to be any more 
a terror, when once their work was done, and the 
date of their commission for the humbling and try- 
ing of the church expired ; yea, a judicial stroke 
from the Lord has often been seen upon their very 
judgment and resolutions, which could not then 
serve them to trouble and afflict the church, the 
day being turned, and the time of her deliverance 
come. 

5. There is the promise that " all things work 
together for good to them that love God," Rom. 
viii. 28. 

This is indeed the constant course and tenor of 
Providence about the church: the turnings and 
changes of the world, the most strange emergen- 
cies of the times, the various motions and interests 
of men, co-operate together, and have an undoubted 
tendency to bring forth the church's good, as 
though they did intentionally act for the same. 
There will indeed be a more clear and marvellous 
discovery of this, when the Lord has perfected bis 
work, the mystery of God is finished, and the 
church brought safe to the harbour ; then shall it 
be fully manifest to what end all these storms and 
cross winds in the counsels and designs of men 
were; these things which at the time could not be 
understood, but seemed perplexed and strange, for 



128 THE FULFILLING 

then men will see with their eyes a full perform- 
ance of the word. Yet even here in every age, 
amidst the various changes of the church's case, 
there is no serious observer of Providence but may 
bear witness : 

(1.) That not only the church's good, but even 
her greatest good, has most clearly had its rise out 
of the greatest mischiefs intended against her; that 
if we search the Scripture, and other records of 
the church's condition, we shall there find the most 
remarkable attempts, such as Pharaoh's last essay 
to destroy the Israelites, Haman's great design to 
root out the seed of the Jews, the great masterplot. 
of Satan to crush the gospel and the Christian 
church, by crucifying her Head ; yea, in these last 
times, antichrist's killing the witnesses ; — have all, 
as if really intended by the instruments, as well as 
the first mover, brought forth the church's greatest 
good, so as the after-mercy has carried some visi- 
ble proportion to her trial, and to the greatness of 
her adversaries' design. 

(2.) It may be also clear, if we trace back those 
memorable changes which have been in the earth, 
how direct a tendency they have had to this end. 
We find Nebuchadnezzar raised up as a rod to the 
church, and Cyrus for a deliverer; we see the Per- 
sian and the Grecian monarchies brought down to 
make way for the setting up of the Messiah's king- 
dom. Antiochus must stand up a little for a sharp 
trial, and his downfall gave the church a new breath- 
ing. Peaceable Augustus must come in His time 
in whose days shall be abundance of peace. We 
find a Titus set up to execute the judgment of God 
on the Jews, to make way for a further enlarge- 
ment to the gentile church ; a Nero and Domitian 
to help forward the church's suffering ; and a Con- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 129 

stantine to give her some rest after so long and sore 
an assault ; and at last, the Roman empire moul- 
dered down for antichrist's appearance, to accom- 
plish in the church what did remain of the suffer- 
ings of Christ by that adversary. 

(3.) We may often see a very strange concur- 
rence of instruments bringing about the Lord's end, 
and advancing His church's interest, even while 
each one does most vigorously attempt its own 
proper end ; which shows there is surely a living 
spirit in the wheels that orders these motions, a 
supreme and first mover that can thus determine 
them to serve His end and the church's good, when 
they most directly intend the contrary. 

(4.) We have seen how in men's plotting the 
ruin of the church, there is often an unseen hand 
determining their judgment and inclination to fall 
upon that very way, than which we should think 
nothing could have been more direct for her good 
and their own ruin ; how a Hushai hath been set 
in, or some have been stirred up amongst them- 
selves, upon their own interest, to break the per- 
nicious counsels and designs of others. 

(5.) We have also seen the personal quarrels of 
the church's enemies among themselves brought to 
such a height, and to occur so seasonably, that 
lookers on could clearly perceive that it has been a 
judgment from the Lord for their rage and violence 
against his poor oppressed people. 

(6.) We have seen the church's enemies raised 
to a strange height, all advantages favouring them, 
until their mine has been ripe for springing, and 
lo ! at that very moment something unexpected has 
turned their former success to their ruin. 

(7.) We have seen some temporary evil of the 
church bring forth her good ; yea, when all has 



130 THE FULFILLING 

been given up for lost, and truth has lost the day 
upon the field, she has triumphed on the scaffold 
and at the stake. 

(8.) We have seen most despicable things made 
subservient to some great work of the Lord, a very 
small thing made the first rise of strange revolu- 
tions, and remarkable changes often lying in the 
bosom of a common providence ; yea, truly, we 
find both Scripture and the observation of after 
ages witnesses that the church's deliverance did 
rarely come that way by such a method and means 
as she had expected, and that God's time of work- 
ing may be often very contrary to our time of ex- 
pecting. 

Is it not often seen, that men's endeavours to 
darken the truth by error, have been an effectual 
means for its further clearing ? That a trial upon 
the church hath wrought towards her deliverance ; 
her meat hath been often brought even out of the 
eater? A time of persecution will help to cure the 
divisions amongst the godly, and bring them to- 
gether in the furnace, which prosperity could not 
do ; yea, the very undoing of the church has been 
God's blest way to keep her from being undone. 

11. The second branch concerns those scripture- 
threatenings which are held forth in the word, 
with a respect to the visible church, and against a 
people professing the gospel, that no privileges 
they have above others shall exempt them from 
judgment. 

I here intend to show how judgments from the 
Lord, which point, as with the finger, to the abound- 
ing sins of the time, do reach particular churches, 
according to the threatenings of the word. The 
greatest monuments of wrath have usually been set 
up, where the largest offers of the gospel had been 



OF THE SCKIPTURE. 131 

made ; yea, the anger of the Lord may draw so deep 
against a people professing his name, as to make 
their land desolate, and the highways thereof 
mourn. 

1. Consider that we find the threatenings of the 
word point at the time of a people's judgment, 1 
Thess. ii. 16; Rev. xiv. 15, 18. That when they 
fill up the measure of their sin, and their cup is full, 
the Lord will not then defer the execution. Until 
the cup of the Amorites was full he did let them 
alone ; and we find answer deferred to the cry of 
the souls under the altar, for avenging their blood 
on antichrist, because that accursed party had yet 
more to do against the church, and the saints more 
to suffer under their hand. For, let us consider, 
(1.) That there is an ordinary growth and height 
of sin, which a land comes to before destruction ; 
some national and universal spreading thereof, pro- 
digious outbreakings, the utter rejection of reproof, 
all which show that a people's case must then be 
on some turn; yea, it is evident that strange and 
unusual sinning goes before some strange stroke. 
(2.) Before judgment cometh, the sin of a people 
has become so daring that it has had a loud cry ; 
yea, their case has been such as did justify the 
Lord's procedure against them, even in the con- 
science of all lookers on. (3.) It is easy for such 
as are wise to know the times, to see night coming 
on a land when sin is at some dreadful height, by 
considering the Lord's usual way with a people in 
such a case. Yea, there have then been some spe- 
cial forewarnings, and a more than ordinary impres- 
sion of judgment upon the spirits of the godly : 
the hiding of many of them in the grave has showed 
the near approach of a penal stroke. (4.) Some 
Noah or Jonas is sent forth to threaten, who, as 



132 THE FULFILLING 

watchmen upon the wall, discern the danger at a 
distance, and cry out and give the people warning 
when the time of judgment has been drawing 
near. 

2. There are some special evils and sins of a 
time, which we find the word does threaten most 
dreadfully, that though the Lord should pass by 
many infirmities in a church and people professing 
his name, yet for such and such sins, he will not 
turn away the punishment thereof, as we find in 
Amos iii. 2 ; but has solemnly declared by his 
truth and faithfulness, that these shall not pass 
without some visible mark, even before the world, 
of his anger. Such as idolatry, perjury, and cove- 
nant breaking, Ezek. xvii. 15; also departing from 
God and his way, Jer. ix. 12, 13; yea, blood- 
guiltiness, 2 Sam. xii. 10. Now, to evince the 
accomplishment hereof, I shall show, (1.) That 
in these sins men may plainly see that judgments 
are not wholly deferred to another world, but 
though much is often passed here, and laid over to 
that last and great judgment, yet upon such sins 
the Lord has put some mark of his displeasure, 
even in this life. (2.) That for these he uses to 
contend before the sun, and in the view of men ; 
his judgments are, indeed, often secret, and do 
consume as a moth, but, upon such sins, we may 
frequently see some public visible stroke is made 
to follow. 3. That the Lord also uses to be a 
very swift witness against such evils ; those fore- 
mentioned sins do much hasten judgment, so as 
seldom that generation passes away without some 
witness thereto. It is rarely found that some great 
revolt of a people from God, and breaking cove- 
nant with him, do lie long unpunished, nor does 
the hoary head of the violent and bloody man go 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 133 

often to the grave in peace. (4.) That these sins 
are followed with some very dreadful and eminent 
stroke, which has made the land desolate, its 
cities waste and a ruinous heap ; yea, houses great 
and fair to be without inhabitants. (5.) That a 
Divine hand uses to be most discernible in the 
punishment of such sins, because of a very clear 
resemblance between them and the stroke, which 
has forced their own consciences as well as that 
of spectators to confess the righteousness of God 
therein. (6.) That the Lord will put some mark 
of his anger on the choicest of his servants for any 
acceding to such sins : for this the sword shall not 
depart from David's house, and idolatry rent the 
kingdom from the posterity of Solomon ; Jonah 
shall not escape for his rebellion ; yea, God was 
wroth with Moses, and no intreaty could hinder 
his dying in the wilderness. The Lord's contro- 
versy on this ground has even reached their pos- 
terity, which shows that these threatenings are 
exactly fulfilled. 

3. A people's lukewarmness and their slighting 
of the gospel are sadly threatened in the word, 
2 Thess. ii. 10, 11 ; Rev. iii. 15,1 6, and that threat 
fully accomplished. (1.) A people's entering upon 
a religious way, and pursuing a form of reforma- 
tion on carnal grounds, has put them in a worse 
condition than before ; for truly men's hypocrisy 
in going about a good work, threatens more than 
the performance thereof promises. Jehu got a 
temporal reward, but his posterity must at length 
reckon for all the blood of Jezreel. (2.) That 
no people are further from the gospel than such 
as have been under most clear convictions, and 
have profited little by them ; so that it is found 
there is often more success amongst the savages, 
12 



134 THE FULFILLING 

than amongst those who have made no progress 
while the tide did flow. Yea, ministers have found 
most discouragement to labour in those parts where 
the word has been long preached. (3.) Light not 
improved will turn a people more gross, and is 
usually followed with some remarkable growth in 
sin ; that the more the word puts a restraint on 
men's corruption, the more it rages ; so as it may 
be observed what a very black colour the powerful 
preaching of the gospel has put upon a people, as 
a visible mark of judgment on such as profit not 
thereby. (4.) Men's formality in the matters of 
God has been often punished even with the taking 
away of the form. Error and delusion do seldom 
want a harvest amongst a people who receive not 
the truth in love. (5.) Slighting of the gospel has 
been at last followed with some visible restraint 
both upon the ordinances and dispensers thereof; 
a judicial withdrawing of the Spirit as to the work 
of conversion and conviction, whereby the Lord 
doth plainly cease to be a reprover to them ; yea, 
even saith, "Bind up the testimony and seal the 
law." 

4. The word also threatens carnal security; yea, 
it holds forth a certain connexion between spiritual 
judgments upon a people and some outward strokes 
to follow thereon ; they are then near to some 
judgment upon their persons ; in hearing they shall 
not understand, until their cities be consumed 
without inhabitants and there be an utter desola- 
tion. Yea, judgment begins as a moth in the fifth 
chapter of Hosea, but in the 14th verse it turns at 
last to be a lion. (1.) As the first part of the 
church's deliverance is usually spiritual, so the first 
step of judgment against a people has been upon 
their spirits. Serious discerners of the time might 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 135 

know that the night was fast coming on, and some 
sad outward stroke on a land, by the abounding 
of spiritual judgments. (2.) The most dreadful 
strokes that ever come on a particular church do 
usually find it judicially hardened, and under 
many warnings plagued with security ; thus did 
the flood find the old world ; and, before that de- 
solating stroke on Jerusalem by the Romans, the 
Jews were in such a case. Salvian can tell how 
it was with the African churches before that dread- 
ful inundation of the Goths and Vandals; yea, the 
church's records in all ages do witness that before 
any sad persecution came upon a people, a deep 
sleep and lethargy has preceded ; gray hairs might 
have been seen upon them. (3.) Spiritual judg- 
ments, when they grow upon a people, make great 
dispatch, and do quickly ripen for some further 
strokes ; when men have run down their con- 
sciences, and are past reproof, going on from evil 
to worse, the case comes then to be clear and ready 
for the final process. 

5. The word denounces woes against the trou- 
blers of the church, Jsa. x. 5; 2 Thess. i. 6. (1.) 
Eminent oppressors of the church have seldom 
gone out of the world without some mark of Di- 
vine anger upon them ; surely, if there were a re- 
cord of such instances that in every age have been 
conspicuous, men would be forced to see that the 
most noted enemies and persecutors of the saints, 
have been also the most convincing and noted ex- 
amples of judgment. (2.) That the church's suf- 
ferings use to go before a day of vengeance on 
the instruments thereof. We find Jehu got an 
outward reward for executing the judgment of God 
on his enemies ; but such men who have been the 
rod of the church, have not long wanted some 



136 THE FULFILLING 

scourge as sore upon themselves as they have been 
to his people, and at last they have paid dear for 
their service. (3.) For this God has taken many 
away in the midst of their day, and made them 
cease to be, who would not cease to trouble the 
church while they had a being ; yea, he has taken 
them whom men could not reach into his own 
hand, and completed their destruction. 

6. The Scriptures threaten carnal confidence, 
Jer. xvii. 5, 6. To clear the accomplishment 
whereof let us but compare the word and the 
church's observation together, and we shall find, 
(1.) That outward means have never more miscar- 
ried than when most promising; yea, that very 
eminent instruments, when much depended on, 
have been observably blasted, and made to shrink 
under such a burden. (2.) That they whom the 
Lord had made much use of, yea, honoured to be 
great instruments in the service of the church, 
have often had some discernible blot, to reprove 
men's over-esteem of them. A Tertullian, an Ori- 
gen, in ancient times ; yea, even a Luther, in latter 
times, must go with some halt to the grave. (3.) 
That many who have been useful in the church for 
a time, the Lord ofien lays by; and by putting a 
further weight on some instruments than they could 
bear, has often rendered them useless. (4.) That 
none are more ready to shrink in a day of trouble, 
than such as at a distance seemed most daring; 
yea, none more ready to fall into that excess of 
undervaluing instruments, than those who have 
most exceeded upon the other hand. 

7. The word threatens, and in a special way 
points at, corrupt ministers, Mai. ii. 3, 9. The ac- 
complishment whereof hath in all ages been very 
discernible. (L) How such have usually been 



OF THE SCEIPTURE. 137 

most noted as the greatest and naost violent ene- 
mies which the church has had ; yea, that no course 
has been so evil, that has wanted some of these 
to help it on ; their hatred and persecution of the 
godly have been found to exceed that of the most 
openly profane and profligate. (2.) That as they 
are particularly threatened above others in the word, 
so they also receive some special mark in their 
judgment; and having once lost their savour, be- 
come vile and loathsome even to the worst of men, 
are contemptible in the eyes of such, whom they 
seek, in a sinful way, to please ; yea, have a worse 
savour than the profanest wretches, that being veri- 
fied in them, Corruptio optimi pessima."^ (3.) That 
they seldom make a good retreat from an evil way ; 
so that it is an usual observation, that it is rare for 
corrupt professors to repent, or a fallen star to shine 
again. (4.) They are often smitten even in their 
gifts, which wither and dry up when not faithfully 
improved. (5.) I must add another remark, though 
I desire to deal with fear and much tenderness in 
such an application of the judgment of God, that 
the Lord often puts some note of his wrath on the 
children and ofl^spring of unfaithful ministers ; 
whereto, as their evil practice and example have 
been a special help, so likewise are they thus 
punished of the Lord. 

in. I would now proceed to show that the Scrip- 
ture has a manifold accomplishment, even in those 
most strange and dark passages of Providence, 
whereat men are ready to stumble ; for if we lay 
them to the measure and line of the word which 
is stretched over the whole work of Providence, 
we shall see how well they agree one to the other ; 

* The worst corruption is that of the best. 
12* 



138 THE FULFILLING 

yea, that all the paths wherein God walketh to- 
wards his church are mercy and truth. 

1. It may seem strange how the church's trou- 
ble and strait is often seen to increase with the first 
stirrings of her deliverance. When some remark- 
able mercy is in the bringing forth, the first step 
thereof would seem sometimes to put her further 
aback, and in a worse condition than before. This 
is, indeed, a part of the Lord's way with his 
church; but let us take the word along therewith, 
and we shall find, (1.) How the church is often at 
the brink of the grave even when her case is upon 
a turn; and how it is congruous to his way, whose 
paths are in the deep waters, who clothes himself 
with darkness, that men should not find anything 
after him, or lay down absolute conclusions con- 
cerning his dealing — that the motions of Provi- 
dence should be often so perplexed. (2.) Did not 
the case of the church in Egypt seem much worse, 
their burdens doubled upon them, even when their 
dehverance was near at hand ? (3.) The selling 
of Joseph as a slave, and his confinement to a dun- 
geon, would seem extraordinary steps of Provi- 
dence, and yet we see how kindly these did work. 
(4.) When the church was even at the next door 
to a deliverance, her trial was even at the greatest 
height ; "Be in pain and labour to bring forth ; for 
thou shalt go to Babylon, and there shalt thou be 
delivered," Micah iv] 10. (5.) The step of the 
providence of God, which of all seemed most 
dreadful to the church in the days of Esther, was 
the sealing of the decree, and the sending it forth 
to root out the whole seed of the Jews ; but this 
was the very step that wrought most thoroughly 
for her deliverance. 

2. The sore interruptions which a people's endea- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 139 

vours for reformation and to promote the kingdom 
of Christ have met with, would seem strange, but 
that it is often seen, as an usual attendant on refor- 
mation, how insuperable difficulties and unexpected 
hindrances grow up in the way thereof; thus, 
when Luther and other instruments were raised up 
in Germany, to pursue the church's reformation, 
what cruel edicts were then set forth to retard its 
progress 1 What a pure and thorough reformation 
was on foot under Edward the sixth in England, 
and what a dreadful storm did quickly break it up ! 
(1.) There is a lively portraiture of Providence in 
the affairs of the church, in that vision which Eze- 
kiel had of the wheels, whose mysterious motions 
and turnings, so cross one to the other, without 
any discord therein, as to the end to which they 
were directed, witness the rational and wise con- 
duct of Providence. (2.) Nehemiah, Ezra, and 
Zerubbabel, had an express call for building the 
temple, yet they found great and frequent interrup- 
tions ; '' Who art thou, O great mountain, before 
Zerubbabel ?" Zech. iv. 7. Yea, they were obliged 
to hold the sword, and build ; to watch and work 
at once. (3.) What a very painful interruption 
did the church experience ; " O Lord, revive thy 
work, in the midst of the years," Hab. iii. 2. (4.) 
We find a special reformation set on foot by He- 
zekiah, with a solemn covenant by the princes, 
priests, and body of the people, with a setting up 
of the pure worship and ordinances of God ; but 
lo ! a sharp storm is soon after raised by Senna- 
cherib ; yea, Hezekiah is scarcely in his grave, 
when his son brings in both corruption and perse- 
cution. And when the Christian church, in the 
times of the apostles, began to flourish, did not a 
sad scattering follow immediately? Acts viii. 4« 



140 THE FULFILLING 

Zion's walls are ever built in troublesome times ; 
and her being brought to a heap of rubbish is but 
making way for a further advance, that in the 
building of her again the Lord may appear in his 
glory. 

3. That a sad overclouding and darkness shall 
come on a land after most special manifestation of 
the power and glory of God, would seem a strange 
act of Providence, and cause a very serious in- 
quiry how such eminent appearances of God for a 
people, such observable success for a time, with 
many signal encouragements, should all seem to 
resolve into a desolating stroke and ruin ! This 
may be instanced in the Protestants of France, in- 
struments remarkably raised and fitted of the Lord 
for the service of that time, yet who perished in a 
bloody massacre. Also in the confederate Ger- 
man princes, Saxony and Hesse, men eminent for 
piety, carried forth with much zeal for God ; yea, 
in the beginning of that war having many pro- 
mising encouragements, yet remarkably deserted 
of the Lord, with very sad consequences. Let us 
also consider the Bohemian war, commenced upon 
the necessary defence of religion and liberty, and 
at first attended with some smiling providences, 
yet it resolved into a great desolation and ruin. 
Yea, a dreadful massacre of the Protestants in Ire- 
land followed one of the most solemn times of the 
power of God and outpouring of the Spirit, that 
we ever heard of since the days of the apostles. 
(1.) It might seem as strange what Baruch got 
from the Lord in answer to his complaint, that he 
would pluck up what he had planted, and cast down 
that which he had built, Jer. xlv. 4. Yea, after 
that discourse, and all those large promises which 
Christ gave his disciples in John xvi., we find all 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 141 

is concluded with this, "The hour cometh that ye 
shall he scattered." (2.) What strange providences 
nnet the church in the wilderness ; sonnetinnes 
brought back to the Red sea, tried with hunger 
and nakedness, consumed with various strokes and 
many years' wandering, until most of that genera- 
tion who came out of Egypt found their graves in 
the journey ; and yet this was after as clear signs 
of God's presence as ever a people had. (3.) We 
find a public reformation most zealously prosecuted 
by Josiah, which looked like the renewed espousals 
of that land with God by a solemn covenant ; yet, 
quickly after, night came on that land with a long 
captivity, and Josiah fell by the sword. (4.) There 
was a flourishing plantation of the gospel in Judea 
a little before the desolation of that land by the Ro- 
mans ; yea, it is clear from the word, that times of 
much light and reformation do ripen much sooner 
for a stroke than any other times. (5.) It is very 
manifest that particular churches have their day. I 
truly think that Bohemia's case may have this ob- 
servable in it, that it had the enjoyment of the light 
even from the times of John Huss, and Jerome of 
Prague, which was near an hundred years before 
there was any day-break on other parts, so that we 
should consider if their night did come on soon, 
that their day was also much longer; yea, the 
stroke might coincide with the ebb of the tide, and 
arrive when their harvest was gathered in ; though 
I dare not think the Lord's work is utterly extinct 
there, but that Bohemia's dead and withered root 
has hfe yet in it, and shall once again bud forth. 

4. Is it not usually seen when judgment comes 
on a land, that the godly get the first stroke? (1.) 
Judgment must begin at the house of God and the 
green tree ; and the church's trouble and persecu- 



142 THE FULFILLING 

tion is a forerunner of vengeance on her adversa- 
ries. There is a cup of the judgment of God, and 
it is of a strong composition, for the wine is red 
and mixed, and the dregs are reserved for the trou- 
blers of the church, and for such as are at ease 
in a day of her grief; and truly they have the ad- 
vantage that drink first, "Blessed is the man whom 
thou chastenest, that thou mayest give him rest in 
the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for 
the wicked," Psa. xciv. 12, 13. Yea, we find 
keeping of the "word of patience," which imports 
suffering to the church, goes before some more 
universal stroke, Rev. iii. 10. (2.) Men may be 
raised up of the Lord, and followed with success, 
when he has them for a rod to his church. 

5. That prosperity and success should follow 
sometimes the worst of men in an evil course and 
cause, such a concurrence and series of providences 
as seemeth to smile on them, even to the bringing 
of their sinful devices to pass, while the people of 
God have been made to fall in a just quarrel before 
their adversary, would seem an astonishing provi- 
dence; but let us bring it to the word, and there 
we shall see, (1.) That there is a prosperity which 
tendeth to destruction, Prov. i. 32; Job xii. 6. 
The church was shaken with such a providence, 
Mai. iii. 15; but in the ver. 18, they were taught 
from further observation to discern, and to put a 
difference between the righteous and the wicked. 
(2.) We find that even the predictions of false pro- 
phets in favour of a sinful way may come to pass, 
Deut. xiii. 1, 2, for the trial of his people, whether 
they will love and fear the Lord, and cleave to his 
way, when Providence seems to shine on a crooked 
path. (3.) Did not success for a time attend Ab- 
salom? Israel as one man, yea, the friends and 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 143 

counsellors of David, went after him ; a fair wind 
did also favour Haman in his attempt to ruin the 
church, Jeremiah is almost shaken with this, 
" Yea, they have taken root, yea, they grow, they 
bring forth fruit," ch. xii. 2 ; but is not this usually 
found an ominous presage of a storm? Israel's 
falling before Benjamin was an astonishing provi- 
dence ; and Habakkuk was surprised that the Lord 
looked on while the wicked devoured the right- 
eous, ch. i. 13; yea, Joshua cried out in amaze- 
ment, "O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel 
turneth their backs before their enemies ?" ch. vii. 
8. But we have the Lord witnessing by his word, 
that thus he beats them off from all carnal grounds 
of confidence, and wounds them to a cure ; that by 
bringing them low, he may raise and fit them for 
a further mercy. 

6. The church has met with great disappoint- 
ment when outward grounds of confidence and or- 
dinary means have been most promising ; but let 
us bring it to the word, and the case will be there 
answered, " How should one chase a thousand, 
except their rock had sold them?'*' Deut. xxxii. 
30. Their strength is gone with the Lord's de- 
parting from them ; for when a time of judgment 
is come, even the mighty then find not their hands, 
counsel fails to the ancient, ordinary means bring 
not forth their wonted effects, thus showing the 
race is not ever to the swift, nor the battle to the 
strong. We often see that the people of God are 
much carried out after means, or lifted up there- 
with ; they will ride on horses, Isa. xxx. 6 ; and this 
shall be their punishment : but, on the other hand, 
the Lord's way in his greatest works has not been 
by might and power, but often by means most im- 
probable and unexpected. 



144 THE FULFIL JilNG 

7. The long continuance of a heavy, afflicting 
rod on the church, without the appearance of its 
removal, seems a strange step in God's way with 
his people. But, (1.) The Scripture does not 
tell how long a sharp storm may afflict either the 
church, or any particular Christian ; for it is a part 
of the Lord's secret counsel, but not of that which 
is revealed ; it is enough that we know from it, that 
men cannot make the church's suffering longer 
than God's time. (2.) Israel's trial in Egypt, and 
under the captivity, was a long term ; three hun- 
dred and ninety years must the church suffer, 
Ezek. iv. 5. O how many sad days and weari- 
some nights were there in the seventy weeks de- 
termined upon Jerusalem ! (3.) The saints, under 
a long trouble, have almost gone the length of blas- 
phemy in their complaints ; " My way is hid from 
the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from 
my God," Isa. xl. 27. How pressing with the 
Lord was Daniel, that God would "hearken, and 
not defer," and yet the return comes not until the 
first year of Cyrus ! Yea, that cry from under the 
altar, "How long?" doth get a dilatory answer. 
(4.) There are many prayers before the throne, the 
return whereof is suspended, until God shall build 
up Zion ; and then the prayer of the destitute shall 
be remembered, even as to the Christian's private 
enlargement. (5.) The church's enemies must 
have time to ripen ; and it is not a storm of a few 
days that will purge away the filth of the daughter 
of Zion. 

8. When there is some remarkable work of God 
in a land, and some great outpouring of the Spirit, 
Satan often sets up some counterfeit thereof; thus 
with the preaching of the freedom of grace, liber- 
tinism sprung up. Thus we find there were some 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 145 

parties set up in Germany to run down the church- 
reformation, under the show of a more pure and 
spiritual way ; and of late, some in England, under 
pretext of a more spiritual dispensation, have cast 
off the very letter of the Scripture, turning it to an 
allegory. (1.) That Satan himself is transformed 
into an angel of light, and in no way proves more 
dangerous to the Church. (2.) That the most 
dreadful errors often imitate the choicest exercises 
of the saints, and have such a resemblance, that, if 
it were possible, the very elect should be deceived. 
(3.) Simon Magus, with false miracles, opposed 
himself to the apostles : and when the time of the 
Messiah drew near, a Theudas, and a Judas of 
Galilee, arose to deceive the people. We find also 
an altar from Damascus set up near that which was 
showed to Moses in the mount ; yea, when Moses 
and Aaron were showing forth the marvellous 
power of God, then did the magicians cast down 
their rods also, by which the heart of Pharaoh was 
hardened. 

9. That abounding of error and heresy in the 
times of the gospel seems strange, but, (1.) We 
find the apostles, yea, Christ himself, has given ex- 
press warning that this should be one of the spe- 
cial trials of the Christian church. (2.) The event 
also answers the word as to the particular way in 
which error should be propagated, even by subtle un- 
dermining, and under the pretext of liberty ; so that 
not only the matter, but even the manner, is ex- 
pressly foretold in the word. (3.) This is a judg- 
ment on men who receive not the love of the truth, 
that when he who rides on the white horse is gone 
forth, the black horse and his rider quickly follow. 
And truly it is seen that the church has not been 
so much troubled in the time of the hottest per* 
13 



146 THE FULFILLING 

secutions, as when she was at rest, and in the en- 
joyment of outward liberty. (4.) That the depths 
of Satan are engaged in the breaking out of heresy 
is evident, if we consider, [1.] Its marvellous 
growth, rapid as the plague, and like the arrow 
that flieth by day. [2.] With what violence men 
are thus driven : yea, often a change of their very 
natural temper is most evidently seen. [3.] The 
monstrous and horrid things which are often brought 
forth, show whose hand is at the birth. [4.] The 
usual tendency that error has to irregularity in 
practice ; for as it poisons the spring, and corrupts 
the leading faculty, even the judgment, so it moves 
towards the vital spirits, and influences the coversa- 
tion : and the leprosy in the head breaks forth in 
outward eruptions. 

10. The great commotions that usually attend 
the gospel, when it comes to a land in power, may 
also seem strange, but herein is the word verified, 
Joel ii. 28 — SO, for the gospel gives the world an 
alarm, makes the kings and great men of the earth 
run together to hinder the rising of Christ's king- 
dom, Psal. ii. 3. Truly, in all ages the gospel has 
made its enemies fear that this would be their fall 
and ruin. When the apostle has an effectual door 
opened in his ministry, he has also much opposi- 
tion thereto. But, on the other hand, all is still 
and quiet, while the strong man keeps the house ; 
yea, where the gospel comes there is a red flag 
hung forth, and if men will not receive it, and be 
subject to him who rides on the white horse, he 
shall come again in another character, even to take 
peace from the earth, to put the world in a flame, 
and to accomplish the judgment of the despised 
gospel ; to divide between the husband and wife, 
the parents and children ; for our blessed Lord 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 147 

Jesus is express, "I come not to send peace on 
the earth, but rather a sv/ord." Matt. x. 34. The 
message of the gospel will either be the best, or 
the worst sight that ever a land had. 

11. It may seem strange that, in all ages, men 
of the greatest parts and learning have been so ge- 
nerally opposers of the truth ; yea, the most sober 
and calm will even appear violent, the more the 
gospel is followed with power; for the wisdom of 
this world is at enmity with God; not many wise 
according to the flesh are called. Of all the beasts 
of the field the serpent was Satan's choice ; and to 
an Ahithophel the simplicity of the gospel is fool- 
ishness, and Christ is a rock of offence. The light 
of the gospel torments them that dwell in the earth, 
and will cause men to blaspheme, and discover that 
which would not appear so long as they enjoyed their 
sinful peace without disturbance. 

12. The strange judgments which sometimes 
befall the saints in their outward lot, would at the 
first look, put men to a stand, but let us weigh it 
in the balance of the Scripture, and we shall find 
(1.) That such has been the complaint of the saints, 
yea, it seemed strange even to Solomon, that there 
are just men to whom it happeneth, according to 
the work of the wicked, Eccles. viii. 14. (2.) 
That was a strange stroke which forced David to 
this complaint, "My enemies speak evil of me, 
and say. An evil disease," or as the original readeth 
it, "a thing of Belial, cleaveth fast unto him," 
Psa. xli. 5, 8. Josiah fell by the sword; Eli with 
one stroke has his sons killed, his daughter-in-law 
dying, and himself falling from his seat, and break- 
ing his neck ; yea, Aaron has both his sons killed 
before his eyes, by an immediate stroke from the 
Lord. (3.) There is no jar between this, and the 



148 THE FULFILLING 

tenor of the covenant which God has made with 
his people, to punish their transgression with rods, 
yea, sometimes by a strange rod, while he takes 
not his love and kindness from them. Great suf- 
fering may be ordered of the Lord to give some 
great examples thereby ; " Ye have heard of the 
patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord," 
James v. 11. 

13. The gross falling of those who have some- 
times shined with much lustre in the church, may 
be astonishing, but it is clear. (1.) There is some 
particular spot and blemish noted even in Noah, 
Lot, Moses, and David ; yea, under the New Tes- 
tament, even in that great apostle, whose denial of 
his Master is set forth, to show how far some may 
fall, whom grace will again restore, (2.) It is clear, 
that some do fall for a judgment to others ; that those 
who will stumble, and whose prejudice at the ways 
of God is their choice, may thus further fall, and 
be broken. (3.) This should teach us watchful- 
ness, that those who stand may take heed lest they 
fall ; and an adventuring on the grace of God, that 
none, after such eminent examples, should fear to 
repent and ask for mercy. 

14. The contingency of events, which appear 
to happen without the rational conduct of Provi- 
dence, might, at the first look, put men to a stand, 
yea, would seem to give atheists some shadow to 
say, "The Lord shall not see, neither shall the 
God of Jacob regard it," Psa. xciv. 7. But, upon 
a more serious inquiry, we are induced to consider, 
(1.) That though the providence of God in things 
here, moves suitably to the nature of inferior 
causes, whether necessary, free, or contingent, not 
violating them, nor making use of them contrary to 
their nature, so that though the event be necessary 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 149 

and infallible with respect to the first cause — the 
determined counsel of God, it is nevertheless con- 
tingent in respect of its nearest cause ; yet it is also 
clear, that the smallest and most casual motions do 
certainly fall under the comprehensive reach of 
Providence, so that even a sparrow falls not to the 
ground by chance. Rebecca comes not with her 
pitcher to the well, nor Ruth to glean in Boaz' 
field, without the providence of God. (2.) That 
those things which to us seem most casual, we 
often see by their tendency and product to have been 
intended by the Lord as a special means for the 
promotion of his glory. If prejudice do not shut 
men's eyes, they must confess this can be no blind 
chance, but some higher counsel. What would 
look more contingent than that Ahasuerus was in- 
disposed to sleep, and could have no rest in the 
night; or that a reflection of the sun upon the 
waters should make them appear as blood to the 
children of Moab? But we see what great things 
the Lord accomplished by these means. (3.) Is it not 
often manifest, that Providence guides the stroke 
of a man's sword in the battle, and directs the bul- 
let to its appointed mark ; and does even determine 
those things which in themselves are most free and 
absolute, the heart and will of man ? Did not the 
crowing of the cock, and the soldiers dividing 
Christ's garments, accomplish the Scripture? 
Though it was at a venture that a man drew the bow 
which sent Ahab to his grave, yet it was not chance 
that directed the arrow between the very joints of 
his armour. (4.) Amidst the various emergencies 
and hazards of men's lives, does not experience 
show that things contingent are not abandoned to 
fortune, but there is a Providence which does num- 
ber our hairs, without which they cannot fall to the 
13* 



150 THE FULFILLING 

ground? What surprising hazards have been often 
obviated ! By what unexpected means have men 
been delivered from violent assaults; how unlooked- 
for help has come, even while the foot was slip- 
ping ; yea, between their falling and fall they have 
been met with some remarkable mercy ! (5.) It 
is easy to discern that many accidents, which seem 
most casual, are observably brought about, and 
guided to fulfil the threatenings of the word on un- 
godly men. How was Sisera led into the house 
of Jael, passing by other places ; how was Ha- 
mian's petition for Mordecai's death delayed to that 
very morning when the king's thoughts were fa- 
vourable to him, for it would appear that if Ha- 
man had been one day sooner, he would have 
obtained his desire ! 

This is a grave and serious subject, and should 
be much studied now, when so many are ready to 
quarrel with the way of the Lord, when prejudices 
against the truth are so universally abounding; in 
order that we may see what a witness there is, 
even in the most dark and astonishing steps of Pro- 
vidence, to the truth and faithfulness of God; yea, 
how great a confirmation we may have of our faith, 
from those very grounds which are so much made 
use of the strengthen men against it. I know the 
holy sovereignty of God should teach us to adore 
and keep silence, when we cannot fathom the 
depths of his providence ; and on this great satis- 
fying truth we should stay and fix ourselves, "The 
Lord is true, and there is no unrighteousness in 
him," John vii. 18. It is a necessary duty, when 
a matter is hard for us to understand, to inquire in 
the sanctuary ; there is a warrantable search after 
the works of God, that we may know them. 

Now, besides the instances already mentioned, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 151 

I would yet further touch some few steps of Provi- 
dence, with a special respect to the present time, 
and which, though strange, yet when brought to 
the test of Divine truth, will be found a most satis- 
fying confirmation thereof. 

1. It may seem strange to see the church of 
Christ this day so universally brought low, whilst 
the whole earth besides is at such rest and quiet. 
If we look anywhere abroad, affliction and con- 
tempt from men are seen in a very great measure 
to attend the profession of godliness, but more es- 
pecially the power thereof; yea, almost in every 
place the church seems to be decaying and declin- 
ing, rather than in an advancing state. This may 
cause great thoughts of heart, when we consider 
the inestimable value which He to whom the 
church belongs has put thereon, what glorious 
things are spoken of her in the word, especially 
with respect to the latter days ; and we have ex- 
pected that this would be a solemn time of fulfil- 
ling the promises, which yet point to a more uni- 
versal raising and enlargement of the church of 
Christ ; yea, we have seen some performance 
thereof begun, and therefore should conclude the 
Lord's work herein cannot halt until it come to 
the full height and to the perfect day. " Shall I 
bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? 
saith the Lord; shall I cause to bring forth and shut 
the womb! saith thy God," Isa. Ixvi. 9. But let 
us go to the Scripture, and we shall find, (1.) That 
the church and the world in their joy and grief, as 
well as in other interests, are in most direct oppo- 
sition. "Verily," saith Christ, "ye shall weep 
and lament, but the world shall rejoice," John xvi. 
20. These cannot be at rest together, since the 
trouble and suffering of the church are a part of 



152 THE FULFILLING 

the world's ease and quiet. What a solemn jubilee 
does that cause to her adversaries, when they see 
before them the dead bodies of the witnesses of 
Christ! Rev. xi. 10. But when once the truth 
casts off her sackcloth, and the witnesses get on 
their feet, O what a terror does this cause ! They 
are pained by the remembrance that they have done 
so much against the church, and yet cannot undo 
her. Should this be more strange now than when 
the city of Shushan, and the whole seed of the 
Jews, were in perplexty, whilst the king and Ha- 
man sat down to feast, and rejoice over the threat- 
ened ruin ? Was not that a broad and dark cloud, 
when Zion was a wilderness, and Jerusalem a de- 
solation ; yea, she could find no rest, no comforter 
anywhere? Lam. i. 16, 17. But, if such a pro- 
vidence seem strange, let us consider his way, 
who by the greatest straits uses to bring about the 
most remarkable mercies ; and remember that the 
devil appears with greatest wrath, and raises the 
sorest storms, when he knows that his time is short. 
(2.) If we consult the Scripture, we shall find the 
adversaries of the church have an hour, which is 
their hour and the power of darkness ; their sun- 
shine is indeed a black and dark time. And then is 
there a strange astonishing concurrence of outward 
advantages on their side ; they are thus established 
for judgment, and the wind must serve, and the 
tide flow until their work be fulfilled. They could 
never have been such a rod on the church, if they 
were not appointed of the Lord. Yea, it is observ- 
able, that whilst this their hour continues, there is 
then a power of darkness that has an unusual force, 
and would seem to carry all before it, until it is 
said, *' Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the 
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee," Isa. Ix. 1. 



OF THE SCRIPTUEE. 153 

(3.) Nor should we be amazed at this, when w^e 
read Ps. cii. 16. The Scripture is very manifest, 
that when the Lord is about some great building, a 
great deal of rubbish and breaking down uses to go 
before. There is in every age a filling up of the 
sufferings of Christ in his people ; and a testimony 
thus required to his truth, which the great Wit- 
ness himself did once seal and confirm with his 
blood — even he who before Pontius Pilate gave 
a good confession ; and through all ages, even to 
the close of time, there must not be wanting some 
witnesses to the same. It is known that some 
times of the church are beyond others, made re- 
markable for suffering ; but it is no less clear, that 
in these times also the truth has had the greatest 
victory. Thus we see some ages of the church 
have a larger part of this testimony assigned ; yea, 
not only particular ages, but particular churches 
also. (4.) We shall also find some remarkable 
proportion that the turning again of the church's 
captivity has to her former bondage, Isa. xlix. 19, 
20; Iv. 13; Jer. xxxi. 38 — 40. In the last pas- 
sage, the restoration, as with a measuring line, is 
made to answer in breadth and length to the former 
down-casting. Zion's rejoicing when the time of 
refreshing comes from the presence of the Lord, 
must be as universal as once the cause of lamenta- 
tion was, Isa. Ixvi. 10. Such an hour sometimes 
occurs to the church in which a refreshing report 
is nowhere to be heard, but the tidings of the next 
day add more grief to the former day's sorrow ; 
yet a time has quickly followed wherein the 
church might say, " The Lord hath increased my 
greatness, and comforted me on every side." She 
has had a spring and reviving, upon the return of 
the sun, as universal as her decay and withering 



154 THE FULFILLING 

once was through the dead winter, Isa. li. 3. And, 
truly, whilst we consider the time in which we are 
now fallen, how the church of Christ is every- 
where low, and in a most languishing condition, 
antichristianism now upon a formidable growth, as 
if there were an universal conspiracy to return 
again to Babylon, we may thence conclude a cer- 
tain delivery; yea, that even by a day of vengeance 
the Lord will bring about the year of his redeemed. 
I humbly think we may judge, with a safe Scrip- 
ture warrant, that so universal a decay, such a great 
overspreading of darkness over the reformed 
churches through the whole world, may give us 
ground to hope for such a spread of the Gospel as 
shall be even to the filling of the earth therewith, 
as the waters cover the sea. It will not be a par- 
ticular shower and sunshine of refreshing influ- 
ences on some church ; it will not be the reviving 
of the work of God in these nations which will an- 
swer so broad a cloud, and so universal a devasta- 
tion through the whole churches of Christ; but 
we may, according to the Scripture, look on this 
^s a part of the last and most remarkable assault 
that the universal church shall have from antichrist 
before that full stroke on the seat of the beast; yea, 
that this is a very promising forerunner thereof, for 
when this party seems now to get up, and begins 
to war, we have sure ground to believe his further 
falling thereby, and that every new assault which 
that grand adversary makes upon the church shall 
so far put forward her interest, and hasten his own 
ruin. Blessed are they who are helped in this 
dark hour to watch and wait until the vision break 
up, for it will assuredly speak in the appointed 
time. 

2. It may also seem strange, that we see the sun- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 155 

shine of the church so quickly darkened with 
clouds, and followed with shov;ers, that any lucid 
interval she enjoys is not long without a new storm. 
She draws but a little breath for some new trial. 
This would be puzzling, if such a piece of Divine 
providence be viewed without the Scripture ; but 
there we may see the fate and condition of the 
church under the gospel, the most remarkable 
steps in her way, the sharp assaults and short 
breathings she was to expect, most clearly foretold. 
Yea, by consulting this blessed record, we shall 
find, (1.) That a more continued rest than that 
which the church enjoys, could not well be recon- 
ciled with the Scripture. There was indeed a 
most remarkable cessation under Constantine's 
reign, after a storm of some ages' continuance; 
but how short! and it is said, "There was silence 
in heaven for half an hour," Rev. viii. I. [1.] 
The cross has a more peculiar respect to the dis- 
pensation of the gospel than to the times of the 
law ; it is in accordance with a greater manifesta- 
tion of grace under the New Testament, that greater 
and more frequent trials for its exercise should also 
be realized. [2.] We find such sore and unusual 
assaults are not only suited to the most excellent 
condition of the church, in regard to spiritual pri- 
vileges, but often happen to the most excellent of 
the saints, Heb. xi. 32. [3.] Every particular 
church, beside the ordinary changes in her lot, has 
also some more solemn trials, and some great as- 
saults beyond others, and accordingly has some 
more singular breathings and mercies suited thereto. 
[4.] We cannot find any such calm and breath- 
ing, which has not been very short; the clouds 
have returned quickly after the rain ; yea, the most 
excellent princes and magistrates, under whom the 



156 THE FULFILLING 

church has had some sweet repose, have heen often 
in a very short time taken away, and have but 
lived a few years. (2.) Do not the Scriptures 
show the need the Church has to be emptied from 
vessel to vessel? a long calm being no less her 
hazard than a sharp storm ; and there is more cause 
often to watch over her outward rest, than weep 
over her trouble. O how often has the church 
lost more by a few years' peace, than by a long 
continued trouble ! Yea, the necessity of a sharp 
winter for her recovery has been so discernible be- 
fore it came, that, if it were not for the sake of 
truth, and the shaking of the faith of the saints, 
the continuance thereof might be almost wished as 
her advantage. (3.) Do not the Scriptures also 
witness that continued lasting quarrel which is be- 
tween the world and the church, a quarrel which 
time cannot wear out ; so that if she had not so 
great a party for her, and an immediate support 
from heaven, we might find more cause to wonder 
she yet breathes, than to ask why her breathings 
are so short, when there is so great a power against 
her? O, if the church had not this to answer, 
" That the Lord hath founded Zion," sure the de- 
sign of so many ages would at last have taken 
place, even to the razing of her foundation. (4.) 
The most singular fellowship with Jesus Christ on 
the earth is by the cross, so that if such afflicting 
times did not often return upon his people there 
would be a shut door between the church and a 
large part of the Bible, both as to its meaning and 
as to its consolation ; refreshing truths are there, 
with which the godly cannot have so feeling a con- 
verse in an outward calm as under the sharpest 
wrestlings. O what an excellent commentary 
has a suffering time given upon these words, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 157 

"Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not 
destroyed ; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing !" 
(5.) Let us also consider what warrant there is, to 
expect before the end, a more solemn and remark- 
able time of the church's enlargement, that not 
only shall be universal in its extent, but more last- 
ing and continued than has formerly been ; which 
I humbly judge, on clear Scripture grounds, we 
are to expect upon the coming of that full stroke 
on Babylon, and the solemn espousals of the Jew- 
ish church to Christ ; and though this will not 
want some sharp trials, and a mixture of outward 
trouble, yet we find no ground from the Scripture, 
after the discomfiture of antichrist and the throwing 
down of the Turkish empire, to fear any remark- 
able interruption, or that the church shall have any 
great assault, until that final gathering of the world 
and her forces together, to the last battle of the 
Lamb. 

3. It is a usual complaint through the church, 
that with a greater increase of light and knowledge, 
there is seen a visible wearing out of life and 
power ; tenderness and the serious exercise of god- 
liness is less evidenced than in the times of greater 
ignorance. Let us but look through the Reformed 
Churches, at this day, and then turn home to our- 
selves, and we shall find this remark too sadly 
verified. We know there is a sweet agreement 
between the Christian's light and life, which have a 
mutual subserviency to each other, and yet we see 
at this day but little proportion between the one 
and the other. The Scripture is clear, (1.) That 
there is a time of a people's espousals to the Lord, 
Jer. ii. 2 ; but we find also how rare it is for a peo- 
ple to continue that measure in their life and love, 
whatever advance there may be as to light ; thence 
14 



158 THE FULFILLING 

we find the church holding up with the name and 
profession of godliness, when very sore spent in 
her life, Rev. iii. 2 ; yea, this decay is so insensi- 
ble, that it is hard for them to remember whence 
they are fallen. (2.) If we ask the Scripture, it 
will show the judicial tendency which light not 
improved hath to a further hardening; how, under 
the gospel, men may be made deaf with hearing. 
"For judgment I am come into this world," saith 
Christ, John ix. 39. Light is surely one of the 
greatest talents of the church, and brings with it 
either a remarkable gain or loss; nothing so dread- 
ful as this when it is abused ; for thus men are not 
only more deadened, but become the more deaf 
and blind. (3.) This is one of the devil's great- 
est engines to turn men's light against themselves, 
and to incite them to turn the grace of God into 
wantonness. Thus, knowledge, whose true and 
native tendency is to humble and abase, being thus 
poisoned, works the contrary effect ; for often 
when light hath made a further advance in the 
church, the devil is there at work to destroy love, 
by many bitter contentious debates, more for per- 
sonal repute and credit, than the interest of God 
and his truth. I am far from any intended reflec- 
tion on the necessary duty of appearing in defence 
of the truth, a dispute wherein they should know 
neither friend nor brother, where with that excellent 
man Melancthon they can say, "Non qusero glo- 
riam propriam, sed veritatem."* (4.) Though 
this is a very sad symptom that night is coming on 
a church, when the light shines, but the heat and 
warming influence thereof is gone ; yet the Scrip- 
ture explains how the Lord makes things bring 

* I seek not my own glory, but the truth. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 159 

forth contrary effects, and causes a remarkable con- 
sumption that seems to reach the church in her 
inward and vital parts, to resolve into an overflow- 
ing with righteousness, Isa. x. 22. He makes his 
grace marvellous, in connecting his people's rising 
with so low a step of their condition ; and in 
causino; his church, when brougfht to a small rem- 
nant, to " take root downward, and bear fruit 
upward," Isa. xxxvii. 31. It would seem a strange 
connexion, that the time of his favouring Zion, 
even the set time, Psa. cii. 13, should find her in 
a heap of stones and rubbish ; yea, that a reviving, 
and the breaking of her day, begin with the weep- 
ing of her friends over her ruins. And with re- 
spect to the present time we may believe on very 
sure grounds, that godliness and the power thereof 
will yet flourish in the world, though it be at 
the lowest ebb, yea, at its last breathing; that 
little spark now under ashes will revive, and blow 
up to a flame, yea, send forth its heat to warm the 
nations; for if such a death-like decay had respect 
only to some particular church, and if this wither- 
ing abatement and languishing were confined to a 
corner, it might be a sad presage that their sun, 
when so far declined and gone down, were near to 
the setting ; but since this seems to be a consump- 
tion over the whole earth, and through the whole 
Reformed Church, we may look on it as a very 
promising ground of confidence and hope of a re- 
covery. For if the universal church cannot die 
under such a disease, it is also sure that this sick- 
ness is not unto death ; yea, so remarkable an op- 
position to the power of godliness we may judge to 
be a very refreshing presage of some more universal 
revival of the same ; for there is hope of this tree, 
which the Lord hath himself planted, that it shall 



160 THE FULFILLING 

grow by the scent of waters, even by the river, 
the streams whereof make glad the city of God, 
O what life is there in the churcli of Christ, 
even when it seems to be buried ! She is in the 
root, that cannot dry up ; her dry bones shall 
flourish as a green herb. There is now no less 
appearance of this than at that time when the Lord 
turned again the captivity of his people ; a thing so 
Httle expected, that they knew not whether it was a 
dream or real, Psa. cxxvi. 1. It is indeed a very 
humbling confession that our ruin is of ourselves ; 
yet must it not ruin our hope, since in the great 
things which the Lord hath done for the church, 
the greatness of his power hath not been more 
clearly witnessed than the freedom and sovereignty 
of his grace, that men may see this is the 
Lord's doing, and should be marvellous in their 
eyes. 

4. It may seem a matter of astonishment, that 
the great men of the earth, and they who sit in the 
place of judgment, are usually found to be the 
greatest adversaries of the church. I do not deny 
that there have been great men in the world who 
have no less outshone others in fervour and zeal 
for the truth, than in their place and quality ; but 
that which Salvian says of his time hath been true 
in most ages of the world, that the contempt of re- 
ligion by those who were in greatest power had 
this effect, " Ut mali cogantur esse, ne viles habe- 
antur."* I confess this may cause wonder, if we 
consider how men should so far counteract his in- 
terest from whom they derive their power; and 
that they should expect homage from others, who 

* Men are constrained to be wicked, lest they should 
be considered contemptible. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 161 

themselves deny their subjection to the great Judge. 
But we learn from the Scripture, (1.) That it is 
not strange, though iniquity have a throne, under 
whose shadow mischief may not only find shelter, 
but be framed into a law, Psa, xciv. 20 ; yea, it 
must not be thouo;ht strange that the adversaries of 
the truth are among the chief of the time. Lam. i. 
5. The world is not yet cured of that madness of 
which the prophet speaks with amazement, Psa. 
ii. 1 ; but the kings and rulers of the earth attempt 
to ruin the church, and make his decree void who 
by his word created the world. It is not only of 
late that the servants of Christ have been brought 
before rulers in defence of the truth, and have suf- 
fered by the law, where the crime was an adhe- 
rence to the express command of the great Law- 
giver. Luke xxi. 12. The kings of the earth for 
many ages past have, amidst all their private dif- 
ferences, with one consent agreed to make war 
with the Lamb, and to give their strength to anti- 
christ ; yet this is nothing else but what the Scrip- 
ture hath foretold. Rev. xvii. 13. (2.) If this be 
strange to us, does not the Scripture prevent our 
stumbling, by a most sweet antidote; that when 
we see the oppression of the poor, and the wrath- 
ful aspect which rulers usually have towards the 
church of God, we should not marvel? Piety is 
in all ages run down by power ; but it is written, 
" He that is higher than the highest regardeth," 
Eccles. V. 8. The further they seem raised 
above human reach, the nearer they lie to some 
immediate stroke of a Divine hand. When there is 
no reprover on earth, he sits in heaven who laughs 
them to scorn, who will speak to them in his wrath, 
and vex them in his sore displeasure. (3.) The 
Scripture in this witnesseth the Lord's blessed de- 
14 * 



162 THE FULFILLING 

sign to make his church thrive, when she is desti- 
tute of the help and countenance of civil authority. 
It IS thus he declares the greatness of his power 
who can keep her aUve, and preserve his interest 
in a destroying flame, and under a cruel oppressing 
magistrate ; yea, thus cause her to flourish in his 
days, and have peace in his reign, even under the 
grievous reign of her adversaries. The church's 
distress makes her resolve upon a nearer conjunc- 
tion with God ; "And because of this we make a sure 
covenant," Neh. ix. 38. (4.) As the Scripture 
prevents men's stumbHng at this ordinary suffering 
of the church, it does also witness that no human 
greatness can secure men from him who cuts oflT 
the spirit of princes, and is terrible to the kings of 
the earth; consider Psa. ii. 9, and xciii. 4. Here 
we may read the cause of the changes of kingdoms 
and states, so frequent in the world. Whatever 
influence personal interests have, there is a holy 
revenging God, and his arm is made bare that he 
may recompense tribulation to those who have 
troubled his church. None need wonder that 
flourishing states are broken in such a quarrel ; for 
he who must reign, and have all dominion and 
power subjected to him, will carry that war back 
upon themselves, and stand up against them for 
his own right; he will strike through kings in 
the day of his wrath, yea, pursue the race and 
seed of such oppressors^ from generation to genera- 
tion. 

5. It seems strange to see some of greatest re- 
pute in the church, who have been singularly use- 
ful to engage others in the way of the Lord, change 
their principles with the time, and turn at last to 
opposition thereto ; yea, make it their work to cast 
down what once with great zeal they seemed to 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 163 

build. I confess there is nothing that infidelity 
takes more advantage of to question whether there 
be any thing further in reUgion than a human 
interest, when men are found so opposed to them- 
selves in matters of religion with the changes of the 
time. But let us consult the Scripture, and, instead 
of being shaken, we shall find this a special con- 
firmation of the truth, for, (1.) Such a shaking 
trial is clearly foretold, Eph.iv. 14 ; yea, in 2 Cor. 
iv. 2, a warning is given of those who handle the 
word deceitfully, by accommodating it to their pri- 
vate interest and design : for when men do once 
come to compliance with a sinful course, they then 
wrest the Scripture by misapplying it, 2 Pet. iii, 
16, that they may keep from such a visible oppo-* 
sition between it and themselves in their prac- 
tice. Now if it seem strange, that amongst the 
dispensers of the mysteries of God, and those of 
greatest repute in the church, such should be 
found, read 2 Cor. ii. 17, and you will there see 
the cause why mcany corrupt the word to be, that 
they are not in sincerity, and walking in religion 
as in the sight of God. (2.) When we have so 
sad a discovery in the church, we have likewise 
this antidote from the Scripture, not to be shaken 
or moved thereat, Heb. xiii. 9. Let us study to 
know and be persuaded of the truth. Though we 
should be left alone in following duty, the testi- 
mony of God is sure and immovable, and he is 
true though all men should be liars. We must 
have the persons of none in admiration, but though 
an apostle or an angel from heaven should come to 
oppose the Scripture of God, we ought to say, "Let 
him be accursed." (3.) Here also is the holy 
counsel and design of the Lord made known, that 
they who are approved may be made manifest, and 



164 THE FULFILLING 

that they may discover themselves who turn aside 
to crooked paths, lo the prejudice of the truth, Psa. 
cxxv. 5. They may dig very deep to hide their 
opposition to God not only from others, but even 
from themselves ; but Providence has a deeper 
reach, and ensnares them in the work of their own 
hands ; yea, thus brings them forth with the work- 
ers of iniquity, and as his greatest adversaries, 
who wound and betray his interest under the mask 
and disguise of friends. It is strange to think, how 
small the first entry of a further declining will be, 
when once there is a tendency and bias that way ; 
and how hard it is to join in a familiar correspon- 
dence with the adversaries of the truth without 
joining in some measure with their way. It is a 
sad truth which is said of Ephraim, " Strangers 
devoured his strength, yet he knew it not," Hos. 
vii. 9. When men go the length of holding the 
truth in unrighteousness, and withstand the giving 
of a testimony to it when called upon, the next 
step will be an appearance against it. (4.) They 
often become a stumbling-block whose lips should 
preserve knowledge, and whom the people are to 
consult concerning the law. It is a strange ground 
which is given of the departure of those from the 
faith who were once in repute of the church, 2 
Thes. ii. 12, that it was to punish them who be- 
lieved not, and would not embrace the truth. 

When this seems strange to us, we should learn 
to adore and justify him who thus stains the pride 
of all flesh, and will silence the confidence or boast- 
ing of instruments, that the church may know 
where her strength lies. The greatest endowments 
and gifts, where men are swelled with pride, have 
a more easy and native bias against the truth, than 
for it ; and threaten the church's hazard more than 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 165 

any advantage the exercise of these gifts can pro- 
mise ; and the greater repute men enjoy, where 
r humility does not keep them low, the nearer they 
are to some humbling stroke, 1 Cor. i. 26. The 
greatest heroes in the church of Christ, who have 
shone, even to their last, most brightly, have been 
also the most humble. The falling off of such 
characters from the truth, is a trial most expressly 
foretold, and a convincing testimony to the truth of 
the Scriptures. So it must be granted also, that 
there are ministers and watchmen in the church of 
Christ, in all ages, who are found faithful to their 
Master's interest; who not only confess the truth 
and dehver the counsel of God to the world, but 
witness their adherence to it by suffering. Can 
the world deny that in the worst of times some are 
found who are in earnest, and have the weight of 
their work upon them, without respect to outward 
encouragement ? 

6. It is an astonishing thing to see how some 
have walked under a profession of godliness, and 
for so long a time have had the appearance of being 
serious and exact, whom an after discovery has 
proved, not in some particular only, but in the main 
interest of religion, to be without reality and truth. 
It may indeed seem strange, that men, having the 
use of reason, should be at so sore a toil to hold up 
a form of godliness, and the external exercise only 
of Christian duties, who might, with facility and 
unspeakable pleasure, have reached both the sha- 
dow and the substance by being serious ; and it is 
certain, if such have not the impression of a Deity 
erased from the soul, there must be terror in their 
approach to God, when they have a witness within 
that it is their deliberate work to deceive at once 
the great God, their generation, and their own 



166 THE FULFILLING 

soul. Many such pretenders are, and will be, 
within the pale of the visible church, and there is 
often a Divine hand marvellously seen in rending 
that veil, in such a way as may witness this is from 
the Lord. But, (1.) It is expressly foretold that 
men should have a form of godliness and deny the 
power thereof, 2 Tim. iii. 5; that they will profess 
to know God, being abominable, disobedient, and 
unto every good work reprobate. Tit. i. 16; yea, 
that they will come in sheep's clothing, yet be 
ravenous wolves. Matt. vii. 15. (2.) This blessed 
record of the Scripture shows, with what singular 
art such characters may act that part, and with 
Jehu inquire if another's heart be right, whilst his 
own is most false ; they will cry unto God and 
make mention of him, but not in truth, Isa. xlviii. 
Yea, we should not wonder, though such charac- 
ters be found, who can mask their private interest 
with such a profession, whilst they seek a rule for 
their rehgion out of Machiavel, but not out of the 
Bible. (3.) Consult the Scripture, and you will 
know that they will invite the world to see their 
zeal for God, who dare not endure the view of 
their own conscience: therein you will find an 
Apostle, and one of the twelve, and yet a devil. 
(4.) The Scripture does not allow or flatter any in 
such a way; you cannot there find one line for its 
encouragement: but though human law does not, 
yet Divine law most severely threatens. Job viii. 
13; Matt. vii. 19. And there you may see how 
horrid a thing it is, which, the more near it ap- 
proaches religion in the false show thereof, is the 
more hateful and loathsome. (5.) You cannot ac- 
cuse the followers of Jesus Christ that by them any 
such thing is owned or justified, but it is rather an 
offence, and wound. It is indeed a cause of grief, 



OP THE SCRIPTUEE. 167 

but no cause of reflection on the truth of God, for 
"they went out from us, because they were not of 
us," 1 John ii. 19. (6.) That horrid and black 
roll mentioned by the Apostle, 2 Tim. iii. 2 — 4, is 
connected with a form of godliness, but a denial of 
the power thereof. It is not strange, when religion 
is attended with much power in a place, that hy- 
pocrisy is found there also; but it is clear, that re- 
markable discoveries have been made thereof, and 
that seldom they who have most industriously 
studied that accursed art, have gone to the grave 
under this cover. Some special incitement and 
concurrence of the devil is here oft very manifest, 
and his power as remarkably put forth as in any 
lust of the flesh, to put men forward on such a de- 
sign ; yea, he may be subservient to them in the 
exercise of common gifts, that may deceive for the 
time very discerning Christians. 

7. The sad jars and divisions so frequent in the 
church of Christ may seem very strange, and be a 
cause of oflence to many ; that whilst the world is 
at such an agreement to oppose the truth, profes- 
sors are often found at war, and most bitterly con- 
tending amongst themselves, and smiting one 
another, when they should be striving together 
about their Master's work. This is sad, and is a 
rock whereon many split; yea, it is strange that 
this destroying plague doth so observably attend a 
state of peace. But there is no cause for such 
stumbling, if we will allow it some serious thoughts ; 
it may rather help to fix and establish us in the way 
of the Lord, and instead of being a poison, may be 
an effectual antidote against the infidelity of the 
times, which pretends to so great an advantage from 
this. For the Scripture is clear, (1.) Though it is 
a sore stroke on the church, yet it is one which 



168 THE FULFILLING 

usually overtakes her in such a torn and divided 
case ; yea, we have no warrant to expect the 
church militant shall be in that condition in which 
there shall be no differences; no, in heaven only 
will perfect peace and concord be found, 1 Cor. i. 
10; Rom. xv. 5. (2.) There is no cause of re- 
flecting on the truth, but on those who profess it, 
since the Scripture shows "we know but in part, 
and prophesy but in part ;" and that there is such 
a prevailing mixture of corruption here, that some 
will preach Christ out of strife and contention, not 
sincerely, Phil. i. 15. Yea, there are always dif- 
ferent sizes of saints ; and they who eat not are 
ready to judge them who eat, and they who eat 
are ready to despise him who eateth not. (3.) 
If we consult the Scripture we shall find, that peace 
and concord within the church must be severely 
qualified with a respect to holiness, Heb. xii. 14; 
for else such an agreement would not be the true 
peace of the church, but her plague : that " wis- 
dom which is from above, is first pure, and then 
peaceable," James iii. 17. They are its best friends 
who have least latitude to take or give in the inte- 
rest of truth ; but indirect tampe rings for peace 
have often caused a further breach. There is no 
jar between zeal for God and an ardent desire and 
endeavour for peace, but what our corruption 
causes. He is indeed a blessed peace-maker, who 
can go the furthest length to yield his own credit 
or private interest, yea, overlook the most sharp 
personal reflections to promote that excellent de- 
sign ; but hath nothing to yield or quit upon his 
Master's interests. We have the heroic practice 
of the Apostle recorded. Gal. ii. 5, " to whom we 
gave place by subjection, no not for an hour, that 
the truth of the Gospel might continue with you." 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 169 

They who caused divisions in the church, and 
were therefore to be noted, Rom. xvi. 17, were 
the same who did oppose the doctrine of the 
church ; for it is men's falling off from the truth 
which is the cause of schism, but not their adhe- 
rence to it. (4.) Whatever advantage some may- 
take to accuse the way of the Lord from these 
breaches, I am sure they cannot deny that there is 
a fellowship and concord in the church of Christ 
beyond any in the world ; that there is a commu- 
nion of the saints even here, with one heart and 
mind, yea, in such a measure, as may show the 
world that this is a bond exceeding the most near 
and strait ties of natural relations, Ephes. iv. 3 — 
16; and truly every jar and difference amongst the 
followers of Christ makes not a breach. 

8. I know that it will seem strange, that when 
the church is brought low by her adversaries, the 
hand of God, in a very immediate way, also is so 
heavy; yea, seems more sore upon his people than 
the hand of men, and does even appear more re- 
markably against them than against any others. 
This may occasion great thoughts of heart, when 
we consider the tenderness which the Lord doth 
witness toward his people, that he stirs not up all 
his wrath, nor will lay upon them above what 
they can bear, but stays his rough wind in the day 
of the east wind, and hath promised to be a sanc- 
tuary and hiding-place when they are scattered by 
men, Ezek. xi. 16. With another party the church 
might debate, but there can be no standing when 
the Almighty pursues. Let us consult the Scrip- 
ture, and we shall see, (1.) That it is no strange 
case, but we shall find the prophet, Jer. xvii. 17, 
crying, "Be not a terror unto me, thou art my 
hope in the day of evil ; and the church complain- 
15 



170 THE FULFILLING 

ing, Jer. xxx. 14 — 16, that the Lord seemed to 
wound her " with the wound of an enemy, and the 
chastisement of a cruel one." It was the appear- 
ance of this that was a very sad addition to her 
trial beyond any other thing, Isa. Ixiii. 10, that she 
found the Lord turned to be her enemy. (2.) The 
Scripture shows that the rod may have a dreadful 
appearance, and the way of the Lord may be mat- 
ter of amazement, when he designs a further in- 
crease of their grace, yea, their trial more than 
their punishment ; this we have discovered. Job i. 
ii. Satan may very effectually concur in a stroke 
on the church, or some particular Christian, and 
thus cause a strange concurrence of imbittering 
things, whilst God only intends his people's trial. 
And the fiery trial, mentioned by the apostle, 1 
Pet. iv. 12, may have such singular circumstances, 
that the godly will question if such did ever befall 
others, and yet it is there held forth more as a 
ground of joy, than of fear. O how deep in af- 
flicting times may the plot and contrivance of the 
devil be, which, in the holy counsel of the Lord, 
is oft forced to run against its own bias, and to 
bring forth a very contrary effect ! (3.) From the 
Scripture we may know, that the trials of the 
church may surround her on all hands; "Thou 
hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round 
about," Lam. ii. 22: yet, when it is so, we find it 
may be needful for the church and particular Chris- 
tians to be " in heaviness through manifold temp- 
tations," 1 Pet. i. 6; and truly, such an unusual 
concurrence of trials may have as manifold use and 
advantage, as the many afflicting ingredients in that 
trial have been remarkable. (4.) We may also 
see from the Scripture what a resemblance there 
is between the public lot of the church and the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 171 

private case of the saints ; how under some sad 
trial and departure of the Lord from his people, 
his dispensations are many ways corrective and 
judicial; read Lam. i. 2, where you find the sword 
abroad devouring, during a time of public judg- 
ment ; and it was at home also as death. And in 
verse 16, under such sore afflicting strokes there 
is one held forth that was most imbittering of all 
to the godly — the Comforter, who should relieve 
their soul, was far off. Nothing does more endear 
a mercy, and make it sweet, than the Lord's im- 
mediate appearance therein ; and nothing does more 
imbitter the rod, which put David to that cry, 
" Remove thy stroke away from me ; I am con- 
sumed by the blow of thine hand," Psa. xxxix. 
10. (5.) Upon a serious inquiry concerning this 
strange thing, we may understand that there is 
some provoking cause whereat these providences 
point. When the godly are pursuing their ease 
and satisfaction under the rod, rather than listening 
to its design ; when they are ready to take morti- 
fication under trouble for a crouching beneath their 
burden, it is not strange though that sad woe, 
Amos vi. 7, reach them : for thus the righteous 
God suits their stroke to the sin, and keeps such a 
proportion, that a light sense of the care of the 
church should make their care abound, and their 
own affairs shall press them with much trouble, 
when they interfere with the interest of Christ. 
There is a saving of things by which we put them 
in further hazard, and a securing thereof by a sur- 
render to the Lord. An immoderate fear of man, 
to the prejudice of present duty, may bring with it 
some sad strokes of the displeasure of the Lord ; 
yea, that he thus bereaves his church of many 
choicest instruments by his immediate hand, to 



172 THE FULFILLING 

make it appear that the anger of the most high 
God is more to be dreaded than the violence of all 
our adversaries. But yet, in the close of these 
judgments, when a church may seem quite con- 
sumed, and her strength worn out, we have some 
ground of hope that the Lord may prevent his 
people's thoughts by as marvellous immediate re- 
storing providences, when he sees their power 
is gone and that there is none to help ; yea, it is 
easy with him, and like his way, to restore what 
the former years have taken away by the locust and 
caterpillar, which he had sent amongst them, Joel 
ii. 25. 

9. There is a step of the holy and unspotted 
judgment of God, which would also seem strange, 
which is inflicted upon the soul by an immediate 
stroke of judicial hardness. How undeniably evi- 
dent is it that men under great light, after known 
convictions and wresthngs of conscience, yea, after 
solemn engagements, and their declared resolution 
to follow the Lord in his way, have yet gone a 
great length in a deliberate resistance to him and 
his truth, without the least appearance of a check 
or trouble. I confess this is one of the marvellous 
things of God, and of his dominion over the soul 
both in its hardening and softening. It truly calls 
us to fear, and is a stroke that may force on athe- 
ists the awful conviction of a Deity ; for though 
it is not felt by them who are under it, because the 
want of feeling is a part of the disease, yet all who 
look on may know this is the very work of God, 
and a part of his judgment. But let us ask the 
Scripture and we shall find, (1.) That the way of 
the Lord in this is holy and righteous, for he is 
under no obligation to the sons of men, Rom. ix. 
18, but is absolutely free to give grace to, or with- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 173 

hold it from, whom he pleases ; his blessed will 
being alone the rule of righteousness. He com- 
prehends the reason of all his counsel and judg- 
ments, which are to us incomprehensible ; yet he 
so far condescends to let men see his unspotted 
justice, as well as his sovereignty, that they wha 
are unjust by a deliberate choice, shall be unjust 
still, Rev, xxii. 11, and they who will have none 
of him should be delivered up to the lusts of their 
own heart, Psa. Ixxxi. 12, We see in what a 
measure Pharaoh was hardened of the Lord, which 
was a plague worse than the other ten ; but we 
find, Exod. ix, 34, that Pharaoh hardened his own 
heart, and thus was a stroke suited to such a re- 
sisting of light, (2.) The Scripture shows, Isa, 
vi, 9, how this sad sentence is immediately passed 
on the soul, even by the very word and ordinances ; 
men preached deaf and dead by the means which 
convey life to others. This is a stroke that 
does not draw a bar between them and external 
fellowship with the ordinances, but it draws an 
invisible bar between them and the power and effi- 
cacy thereof. It is a judgment that walks in the 
dark, and binds where none can loose ; it kills 
withouf a cry; yea, gives men a death-stroke, when 
the pain of that wound is not felt. (3.) This 
strange judgment is as plainly held forth by the 
Scripture as you see it in any example before your 
eyes; men will be mad in their opposition to God, 
even when he is most remarkably opposing them ; 
as Ahaz, who trespassed the more, the more he 
was distressed, 2 Chron. xxviii. 22 ; yea, like the 
men of Sodom, they grope after the door, and per- 
sist in that wickedness, for which God hath already 
smitten them with blindness. O what may be 
the next stroke, when men renew their assault 
15* 



174 THE FULFILLING 

against God after he has once and again smitten 
them! Is not that a strange degree of judicial 
hardness, Acts vii. 57, that when they saw the 
face of Stephen shine, and looked steadfastly there- 
on, they then ran with fury against him? Yea, to 
such a length this judgment will come, that the 
posterity of persecutors will take up the same quar- 
rel, and pursue it, though they have seen their 
fathers fall under the stroke of an avenging God. 
(4.) We may also know from the Scripture how 
deep this judgment may be: the bands of such de- 
luded beings are made strong on them, so that they 
can neither stir nor move, like malefactors shut up 
in jail, and under fetters. It is known what 
Pharaoh's last rebuke was after he had rejected 
many. Is there not something of hell and of its 
everlasting fetters, in some measure, made visible 
in the earth 1 Surely, where light and conviction 
resolve into rage and malice against the truth, no- 
thing can be more like hell, or have a more near 
resemblance to the state of the devil. 

10. It is strange that the righteous should fall, 
and have one event with the wicked in a time of 
judgment, whilst we see some, notorious for wicked- 
ness and opposition to the church, go to the 
grave in peace. I know men are ready to wonder 
at this; yea, hence an atheist will infer that things 
fall out at a venture, but the Scripture shows, (1.) 
That by no external providences, yea, by no afflic- 
tion obvious to sense, the way of the Lord and his 
respects to his people can be judged. We are, in 
this, obliged to adore God, whose judgments are 
incomprehensible, w^hen we see "a just man perish 
in his righteousness, and a wicked man prolong 
his life in his wickedness," Eccles. vii. 15. (2.) 
The Scripture teaches us concerning this provi- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 175 

dence, that though Saul and Jonathan fall together, 
yet there the Lord in a special way puts a differ- 
ence between one and another. Josias died in 
peace., as was promised, 2 Kings xxii. 20, yet he 
fell upon the high places of the field in the com- 
mon judgment ; but he was taken from the evil to 
come. Some may be hidden in the grave from a 
further storm, by the same judgment wherein the 
Lord is pursuing the land. It is clear from the 
Scripture, how small an accession to a sinful course 
may, in the holy displeasure of God, bring some 
of his people under the same stroke with his ad- 
versaries, and involve them in judgment. We 
find, Psa. i. 1, there is a standing in the way, and 
joining in the counsel of the ungodly, held forth as 
a partaking with them in their sin ; and Ezek. ix. 
tells us, that not mourning for, and dissenting from 
the national sins of the time, puts men out of that 
blessed roll of those whom the Lord marks for 
preservation. Now, as to the prolonging of the 
days of the wicked, the Scripture will show, [1.] 
It was no less strange to the prophet Jeremiah, 
ch. xii. 2; "yea, they prosper, and take root." 
It amazed that blessed man, Psa. Ixxiii. 4, 7, that 
not only "their eyes stand out with fatness," but 
"they have no bands in their death." [2.] But God 
prevents some by a sad temporal stroke, and can 
serve himself of a scaffold or gibbet to bring about 
their mercy, as he did to the thief on the cross, 
whilst he plagues others by a long forbearance ; 
"Because sentence is not executed speedily, there- 
fore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in 
them to do evil," Eccles. viii. 11. [3.] As in 
every age we are called upon to adore the sove- 
reignty of God, so also to observe his great judg- 
ments. " Lo, this is the man that made not God 



176 THE FULFILLING 

his strength," Psa. hi. 7. But we must wait for 
the full discrimination which the last sentence of 
the Judge shall put between those who fear the 
Lord, and those who fear him not. 

THE THIRD ARGUMENT TO PROVE THE FULFIL- 
MENT OF SCRIPTURE. 

Argument III. The third argument for the 
Scripture's accomplishment is this^ — That not only 
the Christian's experience, and the observation of 
the church, bear witness thereto, but it is suscep- 
tible of being demonstrated even to the view and 
conviction of the world. 

It is true, the world cannot reach those sweet 
and sensible enjoyments which the saints have of 
this truth ; but it is also sure, that in every age the 
works of the Lord, and some more convincing pro- 
vidences, both of judgment and mercy, do solemnly 
invite men to observe the accomplishment of the 
word therein; yea, no time hath wanted something 
of a public witness from ungodly men, who, under 
the constraining power of conscience at death, or 
in some day of trouble, have been forced to seal the 
truth by a very open confession of the righteous- 
ness of God towards them. I confess we may 
wonder why the world looks so little upon this, 
and why the conviction of so great a truth, which 
they cannot shun, does not more press them ; but 
the Holy Ghost beautifully resolves this, because 
the "brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool 
understand this," Psa. xcii. 6. 

I shall instance some special truths, wherein the 
faithfulness of God in fulfilling his word may be 
obvious to the most ordinary observers, 

1. I shall show that man is fallen from that excel- 
lent estate wherein he was formed, Rom. v. 18, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 17t 

19. It is true the Scriptures alone discover the 
cause and original of this dreadful contagion ; but 
it is obvious to all that man is thus diseased, and 
bears the marks of such a fall as we read of in the 
word. 

1. There is some remainder of that excellent 
fabric, which may yet appear among its ruins ; 
some print and appearance, though dark, of that 
primitive lustre and beauty ; some impressions 
which sin has not wholly worn out, that may 
clearly show what man once was, and point out his 
former excellency ; that he has been another being, 
one without blemish from the head to the foot ; fof 
we see the deep impressions of a Deity still rooted 
in men, even the most wild and savage, which na 
invention can utterly erase ; we see some common 
principles of reason imprinted in the most rude and 
ignorant; some notions and ideas which the soul 
has of good and evil, among all, and in every place 
of the earth ; natural truths, which are no ways 
impressed on the soul from any objects of sense, 
but such whereto men, by an unavoidable neces- 
sity, are forced to assent. Do not these things 
witness that from some great height poor man has 
fallen? 

2. Does not the present appearance of man's na- 
ture clearly show it is fallen into some dreadful dis- 
ease, that it is surely overspread with some horrid 
leprosy and contagion, the symptoms whereof now 
are most discernible ? What an exorbitancy ap- 
pears in his desires, with what contrary tides is he 
hurried; always at jar with his present lot; his 
reason and will, once in a sweet league, are now 
at war, between which he is often rent in pieces 
as between wild horses ! How is he now restless 
in an unreasonable pursuit ; he labours in the fire. 



178 THE FULFILLING 

and for a shadow! Yea, what do these tumults 
and commotions of the earth mean, men upon the 
smallest account sheathing their swords in each 
other's bowels? Homo homini lupus;* insatiable 
in revenge, and making the earth by their quarrels 
resemble the raging sea. O do not these things 
too visibly witness, what a dreadful disorder and 
perturbation there must be within ? Here we may 
see a very manifest ruptux^e, and breach of a build- 
ing, once well knit and framed. 

3. I would ask wherein man's true advantage 
and excellency above others of the creatures, can 
be seen, if not with respect to what he once was, 
and to the blessed restoration by grace t For his 
knowledge often serves only to increase his sor- 
row, to show the good he wants, and the evil he 
is subject to. Is there any of the creatures subject 
to such outward misery and pain, to so many dis- 
eases ; yea, as to a sensual life, may we not say the 
beasts have even some preference? Are they so 
unruly, do they so much go out of their bounds 
and station? The many laws made for man in 
the world, with the convincing necessity thereof, 
sufficiently answers this. We see also that sore 
travail is appointed to man ; to how much toil is he 
obliged for an outward subsistence, how often does 
he sow and not reap ! The beasts withdraw from the 
yoke, and those over whom he had dominion are 
ready to assault him. Women bring forth their 
children in sorrow; men are attended with fear, 
their life is often made bitter with care and labour; 
yea, as men increase in the world their care and 
discontent increase therewith ; but besides all, he 
is in the greatest slavery of all the creatures through 

* Man is like a wolf to man. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 179 

the violence of his lusts. He pursues the bait, 
though he knows it will undo him ; his corruption 
oft, like a strong man, binds him in fetters, and his 
flesh imperiously drags him at its heels. Was poor 
man thus framed at the beginning, or raised so far 
above the rest of the creatures, only to make him 
the more miserable ? Truly, if a lively protraiture 
could be drawn of sinful depraved nature, there are 
none so gross but should abhor, yea be affrighted 
to see that in the third person, with which, alas! 
they so easily comply in themselves. 

11. That so great a change is truly wrought 
upon men in conversion, as the Scripture holds, 
John iii. 3 — 6 ; Ephes. ii. 1 — 5 ; Colos. iii. 10, 
wherein something above nature, even the marvel- 
lous power of the grace of God, may be seen, is a 
truth, I am sure, known and undeniable to the 
world. 

1. That they, who in their practice have been 
notoriously profane, have been reached by grace, 
and thus the leopard has been made to change his 
spots; and such as were accustomed to do evil, 
have learned to do well. Many famous instances 
witness this in every age. 2. That on men most 
determined in their judgment against the way of 
God, and who were wont to deride holiness as 
fancy, even on such so great a change has been 
wrought, as has made the world to wonder; they 
have been forced to lay down their prejudice, yea, 
to wonder how they could oppose the truth so long. 
Surely atheists must grant there have been pro- 
fessed atheists as themselves, who have been made 
eminent examples of grace. 3. That in the height 
of their wickedness (like Paul breathing out cruelty, 
and Vergerius while he was writing against the 
truth) grace has sometimes reached them. Some 



180 THE FULFILLING 

such trophies of the gospel's conquest have heen 
conspicuous in every age ; yea, it is often seen that 
some remarkable height in sin has proved an evi- 
dent crisis and turn in men's condition, either to 
judgment or mercy. 4. That some, from being 
eminent adversaries of the truth, have, through 
grace, been made eminently useful instruments in 
the church ; yea, there have not been choicer ves- 
sels of honour, and more zealous for the Lord in 
their time, than they who were once most violent 
in their opposition. 5. That grace has reached 
such, whom the world reckoned most wise and dis- 
cerning, yea, that knew the value of outward 
things as well as others. Can the atheists object, 
Do any of the rulers or rabbies believe in Christ ? 
when it is so clear that some who are most serious 
in the matter of religion, have been amongst the 
wisest, most learned, and judicious of their time. 
6. This change hath been discernible upon the sim- 
ple, the most stupid, and dull ; yea, upon some 
such as in whom a natural incapacity might have 
obstructed the work, if something above nature 
had not carried it on ; yea, there has been a change 
even in their understanding, to show that this can 
make the simple wise, and that in the way of holi- 
ness, the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not 
err. 7. That by a very improbable mean, even 
the word, and that sometimes by weakest instru- 
ments, this great change has been wrought ; and 
it is remarkable how little of the work of conver- 
sion followed the miracles of the primitive times, 
whereas by the simplicity of the preached gospel 
this effect often follows. 8. That they are not a 
few on whom this change has been wrought ; 
and truly, besides the ordinary proofs, I think 
there should be some more special record by the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 181 

church of those illustrious and eminent instances 
of the grace of God which occur, as well as 
of remarkable instances of judgment. 9. That 
falls not out at an adventure which is wrought 
upon one, and not another, while both are 
alike discerning; yea, some who seem furthest 
from the grace of God, very gross and rude^ 
have been taken, when the more civil and re- 
fined, and of a more promising natural disposi- 
tion, have been passed by. 10. This change is 
often discernible upon men in a time when no ad- 
vantage from without appears; even times of per- 
secution and hazard, from which many have dated 
their first acquaintance with God. 11. It is known 
how great a cloud of witnesses have sealed this 
truth. O ! can that be a universal enchantment, 
that in every age, and in most remote places of the 
earth, has fallen upon so many, or can all these be 
void of understanding 1 What outward advantage 
could they design in that which is so usually at- 
tended with outward hazard and loss ; or what 
credit from men, while it; makes them the very butt 
of the world's hatred and reproach? Yea, can it 
be thought that all these could have combined to 
engage in so great a cheat? 12. The marvel- 
lous effect of this change witnesses this is no de- 
lusion, when even one word has made the stout- 
hearted and most daring tremble, and show by their 
very countenance that there is another tribunal than 
man's before which they are arraigned. That is mar- 
vellous power which can make so willing a divorce 
between men and their idols, which were once as 
their right eye to them ; and beat them off that 
ground of self-righteousness, which they had been 
so long establishing; that causes them also to choose 
the reproach of Christ and his cross, before any out- 
16 



182 THE FULFILLINa 

ward advantage ; and to abandon that society, with- 
out which a foretimes they could not live. This 
evidences something above natural reason. 

' It is strange the world does not more wonder at 
conversion which is so great a miracle, yea, one 
of the greatest, since it is no less then to raise out 
of the grave such as are truly dead, Psa. xix. 7. 
Should we not with astonishment look on a Chris" 
tian, if we seriously considered what a change the 
grace of God makes here from what he once was, 
and how great a change glory will, before long, 
make from what he now is? I know there are 
many things we wonder at from our ignorance; 
but it is men's ignorance and estrangement from 
this, which makes it so little their wonder, for if 
we be assuredly persuaded of the truth of conver- 
sion, we have then three great truths unanswerably 
demonstrated: 1. That the Scripture of God which 
holds this forth is faithful and true. 2. That there 
is a Divine Spirit and a power above nature that 
certainly accompanies the same. 3. That there 
are two contrary states in another world, since they 
are here so manifest. 

I shall here endeavour to show that the very 
immediate power of God is exercised in conversion. 
1. That is a strange and marvellous thing that can 
change one species of a creature into another, and 
turn a wolf or tiger into a lamb; yet such a change 
is here. Conversion makes a vast difference be- 
tween a man and himself; takes him away from his 
former delights and exercises, his old friends and 
society ; yea, causes the man who was a perse- 
cutor of the truth, and took pleasure therein, to re- 
joice in suffering persecution on that account. I 
think the world will not debate, where so many 
known instances are at all times obvious, 2. This 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 183 

is marvellous which can estrange men from their 
worldly interests, and take their heart off that which 
was as their right eye, and subdue under them that 
which once took them captive at its pleasure. Yea, 
they whose predominant passion was love to the 
world, and who have been in their natural dispo- 
sition so narrow, that they could not allow them- 
selves the comfortable use of what they had, have 
been brought to a willing surrender of all for Christ. 
3. Would you debate the efficacious power of that 
which should melt and dissolve in tears those who 
through their life were known to be most obdurate 
and stupid ? Yea, is not this great change some- 
times ushered in with such terror, that may con- 
vince lookers-on, it is a matter of the greatest earnest, 
and not a counterfeit ? 4. How great a thing is 
that which takes men unawares, without their 
thoughts and intention ! It is sure many have been 
thus surprised, yea, in one hour have gotten a 
sight which will never go from their heart ; they 
now see what report could never have made them 
believe; they know now what it is to be taken 
out of a dreadful gulf of darkness into a marvellous 
light : and truly it is usually discernible, that some 
one word will force its passage, and take fire within, 
as a word beyond all others fitly spoken and fitted 
by Divine appointment to open the heart. 5. It 
is a marvellous change which reaches the young, 
and those sometimes of an age little above in- 
fancy, whose years may show there was no design 
to cheat the world. Yea, from a family where 
little advantage of education has appeared, select 
some who, even at death, have witnessed the power 
of the grace of God and his Spirit on their souls ; 
they have expressed their hope, and the grounds 
of it, with such judgment and seriousness, as has 



184 THE FULFILLING 

convinced bystanders of an immediate teaching of 
the Spirit, and of the mighty power of God, who 
can impart to those who can scarcely speak or 
exercise reason, the power of religion. 6. What 
a change is that which also reaches men in their 
old age, who have been long rooted and inured to 
the world, who have resisted many a call of the 
gospel! They have been made to weep and confess, 
after sixty or seventy years living under the gospel, 
that then only they began to know what it is to be 
Christians. I confess this is one of the rare tro- 
phies of the grace of God ; yet no age wants some 
such instances to prove how far grace can prevail 
over nature, custom, education, and all these disad- 
vantages which follow old age. 7. What a strange 
power is it which has been so evidently witnessed 
on some who have outrun others in all manner of 
wickedness ; yea, even then, when justice was 
crying for punishment to cut them off, grace has 
stepped in to save, and reached them at a scaffold 
or a gibbet ! Should it not be convincing to see 
two persons brought to a public death for some 
gross crime, who have the same hazard before 
them, the same means made use of for their con- 
version, yet the one melting in contrition, the other 
most obdurate ? You cannot say that this is from a 
different nature and constitution, since sometimes 
those of a more promising nature and better dis- 
position have been seen further off, than those of 
whom least was expected. 8. Is it not a strange 
change which has been realized, where no com- 
pany, no example, no usual way for instruction can 
be alleged, so that it may be seen they have been 
truly taught of the Lord, and by his immediate 
teaching ; that in a very extraordinary way, and 
by means most improbable, he can convey himself 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 185 

into the soul ? This can be no result of natural 
disposition, for then it would appear in their 
younger years in some measure, and grow up 
with them. This change occurs also in those of 
most different natures, most unhke and opposite in 
their humour and disposition. Here the foolishness 
of preaching is found more effectual than any other 
way; yea, the most sublime and polished strains 
of oratory, and the greatest gifts, have often come 
short of that success, which has followed more im- 
probable means. 

I shall here mention two remarkable instances of 
the power of grace in conversion. First, that ex- 
cellent man Junius, whose life we have in some 
measure written by himself. He testifies that being 
carried away with evil company, yea, tempted to 
atheism, he was one day moved tp go and read 
the Scripture; and beginning with the first chapter 
of John, whilst he read, it suddenly astonished 
him, and left so marvellous a conviction on his 
soul of the divinity of the subject, and the majesty 
and authority of the writing, that all day he knew 
not where and what he was. He then saw that 
the Scripture exceeded all human eloquence, and 
this was followed with such power, that his body 
trembled, and his mind became astonished, with 
such a surprising and marvellous light ; and from 
that day he began to be serious in the way of the 
Lord. 

A second instance is the remarkable conversion 
of worthy Mr. Bolton, a choice minister of the 
church of England, in whose Ufe this is recorded, 
that being eminently profane, a horrid swearer, and 
much accustomed to mock at holiness, and those 
who most shined therein, and particularly that ex- 
cellent man of God, Mr. Perkins, then preacher 
16* 



186 THE FULFILLING 

in Cambridge, whom he much undervalued for his 
plainness in preaching the truths of God, yea, was 
in his views near the length of popery ; but on the 
Lord's gracious appearance to him, he was put to 
have other thoughts, that, as he said himself, the Lord 
seemed to run upon him like a giant, throwing him 
to the ground, and with such a terrifying discovery 
of sin, as caused him to roar in anguish, and often 
rise in the night on that account, which continued 
for some months, but at last a blessed sunshine 
appeared, and a shining light. 

IIL That communion and fellowship with God, 
whereto the saints are in this life admitted, is a 
most real thing, and no delusion, is a truth which 
may be very convincingly demonstrated, 1 John, 
i. 3; Phil. iii. 20. I know this is a truth that 
must be spiritually discerned, and therefore the 
world cannot know it, or reach that unspeakable joy 
which is found by the saints in that sweet path ; 
yet there are some convincing evidences which 
may rationally demonstrate the same, if men 
consider, 

1. How great and excellent a company bear this 
testimony, even as many as in every time ever 
served God in the spirit ; a truth not once or twice 
proved in the Christian life, for the proofs thereof 
are innumerable and past reckoning; yea, amongst 
all the saints, from the days of Abel to this present 
time. There was never one contradictory witness 
produced. 2. They who thus testify are those 
whose testimony in any other matter the worst of 
men could not refuse. 3. They have had as great 
interest in, and share of the world as others, and 
been of as discerning spirits to know the true value 
of things, who declare that there is an undoubted 
reality in converse with God. They wanted no 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 187 

outward allurements, had not lost their taste, and 
were flesh and blood as well as others, and yet 
they turned their backs on all for Christ, and by 
their walk testified they had found some more 
satisfying enjoyment in fellowship with God. 4. 
Must not this be very convincing, that when men 
become once serious in the way of God, they have 
got some new evidence of another world, and some 
other society and intercourse than that of men? 
Whence are those frequent retirements from which 
they come forth with greatest satisfaction? does it 
not thus appear they are not alone when they are 
alone ? 5. Is not this also testified in times when 
men could not well dissemble ; in times of great 
outward affliction, when the world also has been 
most tempting with its ofl^ers ; yea, at death, when 
they are stepping over the threshold, a time wherein 
our words are of greatest weight, the spirit being 
then more unbiassed, and free from ordinary 
temptations ? How oft have they at such times de- 
clared that surely God is familiar with men, and 
that though they were going to change their place, 
yet not their company 1 6. Can that be a delusion 
whereof the saints are not more sure that they live, 
than they are sure of this truth? When God 
comes near to their souls, what a discernible ele- 
vation of their spirits is evident ! yea, on the 
other hand, as the withdrawing hereof is very sen- 
sible to themselves, is there not something of this 
even obvious to bystanders? 7. Does not some- 
thing of this truth appear on the very countenance 
and outward carriage of Christians ; a lustre and 
resemblance of Heaven, a holy gravity and 
composure of spirit, when they have been brought 
near to God in secret converse with him, and 
taken up to the mount ? Does not the walk of a 



188 THE FULFILLING 

serious, mortified Christian convincingly witness 
this ; yea, what should make them look so well, 
and with such satisfaction, when there is no visible 
cause for it, when shut up in prison from converse 
with friends and acquaintance? Surely men will 
not think a rational man so mad as to quit his for- 
mer pleasures, and choose the cross, in order to 
deceive the world with a counterfeit joy and satis- 
faction ; and while it is too evident what a dread- 
ful society and commerce many have with the 
devil, should any man question whether the saints 
have communion and fellowship with God the 
Father of spirits ? 

IV. That "the righteous is more excellent than 
his neighbour," Prov. xii. 26, is a truth which I 
am sure men, notwithstanding all their prejudice, 
must needs confess, and that therein the Scripture 
is verified. I confess the saints are under a dark 
cloud here, through the prevalence of corruption, 
yea, are often accounted as the filth of the world ; 
but when grace, in any greater measure and vigor- 
ous exercise, shows itself, then there appears so 
much as will darken all the grandeur of this earth, 
and force men to see an excellency in the saints 
beyond any others. 

1. What an evident difference is there between 
their way who walk with God, and that of the 
most polished moralist ! Something is in the one 
which witnesses a more excellent spirit, a higher 
elevation, a sweet harmony and equability, so that 
they move in a higher sphere, act from other prin- 
ciples, with a respect to some greater interest than 
anything here, and have more of a large heart to 
serve their generation, than they whose self-interest 
is seen to be first and last in all their motions. 
2. Do not tender, serious Christians who live near 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 189 

God, truly resemble Him to whom they move, as 
their great and last end ; yea, evince an excellency 
of spirit, a sweet calm and serenity, while going 
through things that are most vexing ; a discernible 
quietness in looking upon most affrighting revolu- 
tions in the world, as those whose treasure and 
great interest is beyond hazard, though the earth 
were all turned to ashes? 3. Is there not such a 
majesty and authority attending holiness, as forces 
respect and fear even from those who most hate 
them ; yea, and forces men to justify those in their 
conscience, whom they openly reproach and per- 
secute ? Whence is it that a serious, tender Chris- 
tian is oft a terror to the profane, when there is 
no outward cause for it, but that they are struck 
with the conviction of a more excellent spirit, one 
carrying such a resemblance to the image of God, 
as causes fear ? 4. Does not a holy walk cause 
men to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked 
and perverse generation, yea, darken all their 
neighbours; and is it not seen how grace shines 
with the greatest lustre in the darkest night ; what 
a sweet and odoriferous scent this sends through 
the country where they live, that may show the 
difference there is between such, and those who 
are wallowing in the puddle of this earth ? 5. Is 
it not obvious what a greater lustre and beauty 
there is in the self-denial of Christians, their bear- 
ing injuries, forgiving such as injure them without 
reviling, than in the proud, vindictive spirit which 
is in the world ? 6. It may be also evident to the 
world, that there is another spirit in those who do 
not bow with every time, nor yield to men because 
of their outward power, from that spirit which is 
in the world. While the one presses men to save 
themselves on any terms, the other causes the 



190 THE FULFILLING 

Christian to take up his cross, yea, to lay down 
his life, to save his conscience. Whence is that 
patience and resolution, by which the godly, in 
times of suffering, have overcome their persecu- 
tors, their bold avowing of the truth before men 
when hazards are most obvious, and the advantage 
wherewith they appear above others in such a 
time ? O ! does it not clearly witness they are 
of another metal who thus abide the fire, yea, be- 
come more bright by that wherewith others are 
consumed ! 

How has this spirit, which is in the saints, pre- 
vailed over the greatest enticements of carnal gain 
and pleasure, which to many may seem a wonder; 
as the popish party once said of Luther, " Bestia 
hsec non curat aurum :"* this did in effect show 
him to be something above man ; for that is a 
thing before which the spirit of the world could 
never stand. 

V. That the promised encouragement which is 
held forth to the people of God under trouble and 
suffering for his name, is a truth I am sure not only 
Christian experience can witness, but may be de- 
monstrated even to the observation of others, Psa. 
ix. 9; Isa. li. 12. 

1. The very countenance and outward appear- 
ance of the godly in a suffering time, often declares 
the peace and tranquillity of their soul, so as surely 
they must have joy and satisfaction which the 
world does not know, and have some other corres- 
pondence than with things visible ; for it may be 
often said, as of Daniel and his fellows, that under 
greatest pressures, and a very mean condition, they 
look as well, yea, with as much cheerfulness, as 

* This beast does not care for gold. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 1 91 

those who live on the king's allowance. 2. That 
can be no counterfeit which thus reconciles the 
Christian with a suffering lot ; for affliction and 
trouble prove very searching, and often broach 
the vessel, and bring forth what had formerly 
lurked most closely. Does not that holy confidence 
and freedom, which the saints have evinced in con- 
fessing the truth before the princes of this world 
and their most cruel adversaries, yea, their cheer- 
fulness in extreme suffering, even when resisting 
to the blood, speak something beyond the fortitude 
of a merely natural spirit ? 3. Is it not seen that 
the cheerfulness of the godly under suffering, when 
there is no outward ground for it, not only aston- 
ishes, but is an exceeding torment to adversaries, 
when they see that all their endeavours have been 
in vain, either to turn them aside, or to ruin their 
encouragement ; but that the most sharp sufferings 
of the godly help to strengthen others to justify 
God's way, and evince the tender respect he has 
to his suffering people, even before the world ? 4. 
Is it not also manifest, that those whose natural 
disposition was known to be very fainting and 
timorous, when called to suffer for the truth, have, 
without the least appearance of discouragement, 
shown an invincible resolution ? O ! is there not 
a visible fulfilling of the Scripture, that shaking 
reeds should be made to stand where strong cedars 
have bowed ; yea, that some of very mean and 
ordinary parts have been so discernibly raised above 
themselves, as to confound the wise and learned? 
5. Must it not be confessed that the zeal and reso- 
lution of the saints did never more appear than in 
times of greatest opposition? that at no time they 
have looked more like Christians, with more ad- 
vantage, and with more peculiar beauty and lustre 



192 THE FULFILLING 

of the grace of God, than under suffering; a thing 
which, as it eminently commends the Gospel, has 
also so far convinced their enemies, that in some 
measure it has taken off their prejudice against the 
way of God and followers thereof. 6. I may ap- 
peal to the greatest atheists, if any moral arguments 
could ever produce such effects as rejoicing in 
tribulation, choosing affliction before sin and all its 
pleasures, triumphing over persecutors, and going 
with a calm cheerfulness to a scaffold, sinaino; 
amidst a dark prison ; yea, and abounding and 
having all things under greatest want? O ! whence 
is this ? Something above nature must be here ; 
something that is stronger than moral reasons, by 
which the saints have thus overcome the world. 
Yea, is it not obvious to all who look on, how great 
a difference there is between the pretended resolu- 
tion of a natural spirit in death and suffering, and 
the joy and confidence of a Christian appearing in 
the composure and tranquillity of his soul within ? 
The one is but a dark shadow, and the other a 
picture drawn to the life. 

VI. That there is a conscience within men, 
whose power, both as a judge and witness, answers 
that clear discovery the Scripture gives thereof, 
Rom. ii. 15, is a thing obvious even to the world. 
To prove the reality of conscience, consider, 

1 . There is something within which makes men 
afraid to be alone with themselves, yea, causes 
them to go abroad, and frame diversions to be out 
of its noise. He would gladly be at peace, but 
amidst his greatest mirth and prosperity, this min- 
gles his wine with gall and wormwood. 2. Men 
have often an accuser within their breast, even while 
they seem to brave it out before others; this judg- 
ment they can by no means decline, but after the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 193 

committing of sin, yea, on the back of their sinful 
pleasures, it follows with a bitter sting, and rings 
this dreadful knell in their ear, that the end of their 
way will be bitterness. 3. What is it that makes 
men's guilt so legible often in their countenance, 
even when they study most to conceal it, and makes 
them betray to by-standers, whether they will or 
not, some secret trouble ? 

4. Whence is it they are so much disquieted for 
secret sins, which the eyes of others could not 
reach ; yea, that even the most profligate amongst 
men have a horror for some gross sins which yet 
can bring no outward danger ? 5. How is it that 
even the greatest men whom the world cannot 
reach, and in the midst of advantages, have yet 
often most affrighting thoughts, terrors, and dis- 
quieting reflections? 6. What must it be which 
forces men to justify God when his hand pursues 
them, and makes them so easily find out sin in a 
time of their strait? Why is the sense of guilt 
so very afl^righting at death? 7. What should 
make men tremble at the word, and so much hate 
a searching ministry? 8. How do the worst of 
men often justify those in secret, whom they openly 
condemn ; yea, what is it that causes a secret fear 
and awful regard of those whom they hate? 9. 
Whence is that horror which wicked men, who 
were wont to sport at sin, often have in their sick- 
ness, such as Spira, Latomus, Olivarius, and 
others ? 

That there is a conscience, a power which every 
man has within him and over him, that forces the 
soul to a reflection on itself, even when it trembles 
at the sight, and with an awful sound tells the 
atheist there is a God, is an important truth. This 
is that great tormentor and troubler of the world 
17 



194 THE FULFILLING 

from which there is no retreat, though one should 
flee to the uttermost parts of the earth; this keeps 
a high court of justice under the authority of the 
great Judge, and there, without respect of persons, 
summons great and small, brings in witness, gives 
sentence, yea, in some measure, puts it into execu- 
tion, and can make hell begin even here, by an in- 
expressible anguish and horror, 

1. Could there be such a power in man to dis- 
tinguish between the good and evil which is within 
him, if there were not also some higher power 
above him, who has thus formed him with such 
principles ] Yea, could there be a judging and wit- 
nessing within a man, if there were not a law and 
rule over him ? For it is sure the conscience in 
all its actings has respect to a higher judgment and 
law, which even nature's light, though very dim, 
holds forth, but is express and clear in the Scrip- 
ture. 2. Is it not very strange to see such a power 
within, and yet against a man ; that the grossest 
atheist is an enemy to it, yet cannot be without it, 
or get it shaken off; and whilst men have a strong 
bias and inclination to evil more than good, they 
are yet forced to justify the one more than the 
other? the drunkard cannot drown this conviction, 
nor the worldling bury it in the earth. 3. Though 
men may go some length to divert and silence this 
conscience, so that it cannot exercise its function 
without some special Divine excitation, yet when 
once it is awakened, the stout-hearted cannot keep 
his ground to debate with it ; yea, when they run, 
it follows with as swift a pace. No skill, no argu- 
ments, no violence can defend from its force, but 
whilst they sin without the rebuke of their fellow 
men, this is continually at hand to tell them that 
he who is greater than the conscience does regard. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 195 

4. Can any thing be more real and certain, than 
these effects of the conscience ? Do you know a 
place of the earth where this ^ower does not over- 
awe men, though not exposed to any visible hazard ; 
and can all mankind, through the whole world, in 
all ages, be in so strange a delusion, if there were 
no real ground for it? 5. Men are at perpetual 
work to bribe it, to frame diversions, yea, to find 
out false grounds of peace, and some such gloss 
and commentary as may reconcile the rule with 
their grossest actings and exorbitances. Why is 
this, but that in outdaring it, they find it stronger 
than they, and therefore must counterwork by 
darkening that great light, and find out some show 
of reason to silence conscience, and promise peace 
to themselves, though they walk in the wickedness 
of their heart? 6. Do not those strange extremes 
• which are obvious in men's condition, witness the 
reality of this power? O what a marvellous 
thing is it to see a man stupid this day, and des- 
perate the next ; the conscience so raging, that to 
be rid of its torment the poor man would seek a 
shelter in the grave! Yea, is it not usual to see 
some men wear out their time as beasts, yet, at 
dying, they are seized with an inexpressible horror 
of God ? Is not this something awakened, which 
was formerly asleep? 7. Do we not see such 
desperate acts of wickedness in the world, against 
warnings and convictions, as may even convincingly 
show some pursuit of the conscience, and horrid 
attempt to silence its noise, by some violent stroke? 
8. Are not those unlocked for outbreakings of the 
conscience most remarkable, such convictions 
taking them unawares ? The recourse which the 
grossest of men will, in such an extremity, have 
to God by prayer, declares the impression they 



196 THE FULFILLING 

have upon them of a Deity. 9. How marvellous 
a confidence and support does the conscience afford, 
when it is a friend, under the greatest misery and 
trouble from without; but when it is an adversary, 
nothing so insupportable. It will torment one 
within, when none without dares to provoke him ; 
yea, it will cause the oppressor to tremble, whilst 
it upholds the oppressed with confidence. 

VII. That there is a reward for the righteous, 
and unquestionable gain in godliness, are truths of 
the Scripture held forth in every age to the view of 
the world, Psa. Iviii. 11 ; xcvii. 11. Isa. iii. 10, 
It is true that the Christian's lot is often followed 
with much trouble, and sometimes with loss of his 
life ; for the great reward which the man who fears 
God has insured to him is laid up in another 
world. But there are convincing proofs of this 
truth held forth even to the observation of the 
world. 

1. It is the dictate of a natural conscience, not 
only that God is, but that he is a rewarder of such 
as serve him ; yea, none amongst men are so gross 
or brutish as not, in some measure, to distinguish 
between good and evil, with some fear of a punish- 
ment to the one, and some hope of recompense to 
the other, and also to notice some of the more sig- 
nal and convincing examples of that kind. 2. Does 
not the world see in every age the history of Jo- 
seph, in some part, acted over again 1 Surely there 
have not been wanting many remarkable instances 
of an upright and straight walk through a labyrinth 
of changes, conducing at last to a happy end. This 
is no romance, but a history which in all times and 
by many examples may be seen in Providence, and 
surpassing the richest fancy that any fiction or ro- 
mance ever contained. 3. Is it not convincing, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 197 

even to the worst of men, what a visible blessing 
often follows the mean lot of some of the saints, 
which makes their little reach far, and causes them 
to abound more in their poverty, than others amidst 
their abundance ? A secret judgment blows upon 
some men's estate, that no means can prevent, and 
a secret blessing, which makes things prosper, ac- 
companies the Christian's little, so that it is easy 
to see where real contentment, with cheerfulness 
and giving of thanks, dwells. 4. May not the world 
see there is a feast in a good conscience, how little 
soever its possessor has of the world : that well- 
doing, and the practice of godliness, have some 
present reward in their hands 1 So remarkable a 
difference may be discerned between the counte- 
nance and carriage of the upright, and of those who 
trust in falsehood, that when greatest natural spirits 
fail, the former alone can enjoy themselves, and 
have calm and composed spirits ; amidst the several 
changes of their life, their peace does not ebb or 
flow according to outward things, but they are at 
a seen advantage above others, in the day when 
men are sore outwitted with their straits ; so that it is 
most easy then to see the good of religion, when 
the vanity of other things is most discernible. 5. 
Is it not also seen that true honour waits on humi- 
lity, but flees from them who most pursue it ; yea, 
that faithfulness and an upright walk will gain cre- 
dit even amongst enemies, and respect before the 
world ? 6. That those who are faithful and dili- 
gent improvers of a small talent, have usually more 
added ; and as the drying up of the parts of some, 
as a judgment on unfaithfulness, is often obvious, 
so also such a blessing upon serious diligence, as 
has made the last first. Yea, it is truly seen how 

grace helps men's gifts, and raises and sublimates 
17 # 



198 THE FULFILLING 

their spirits. 7. Does not the Lord put some visi- 
ble difference between the righteous and the wicked 
in a time of common calamity, which may con- 
vince the world that the righteous have had an in- 
visible hedge of preservation about them, and have 
been under some better care than their own? 8. 
What a clear witness ungodly men often bear to 
this truth at death, or at some other strait, so that 
their consciences have forced them to justify the 
godly man's choice, and to say that his lot alone 
is desirable? 9. That faithfulness and integrity 
transmit men's names with more honour, than 
either riches or outward preferment ; yea, that there 
is a great difference between the memorial of the 
righteous and the wicked. 

VIII. That verily there is a God who judges in 
the earth, Psa. Iviii. 11, is a truth which the world 
has, in every age, mianifested to them. 

I shall here point at this truth, as it is in the 
providence of God written in such great letters, as 
are obvious to the view of the world. It is true, 
much may be laid over to the last judgment ; yea, 
sometimes we see the most wicked go in peace to 
the grave. The sovereignty of God also appears 
very observably in the different measure and kind 
of punishment ; but this is also sure, that the Lord is 
known on the earth by the judgment which he exe- 
cutes, and in every age sets up such convincing 
examples before men, that the greatest atheist may 
see, and make this acknowledgment, that such 
judgments can be no casual thing ; while something 
of a power higher than man, and a clear verifying 
of the word, are so discernible therein. 

Now, to demonstrate this truth, I would observe, 

1. That the very heathen have yet so much of 

a natural conscience, that they not only put some 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 199 

difference between virtue and vice, but even in some 
measure can discern that flagitious crimes are 
punished by a Divine hand. Time could never yet 
wear out the observation of this truth through the 
world ; and though many things may be received 
and credited, which, not having a sure ground, 
quickly vanish, it being truth's privilege still to 
outlive falsehood, yet, in the darkest parts of the 
earth, this has been still noticed with a remark, 
and transmitted from one age to another ; yea, the 
records of heathen writers show that remarkable 
punishment has followed cruel oppression, cove- 
nant breaking, and such other gross sins against 
the second table, yea, that these have been the 
usual forerunners of great strokes on kingdoms 
and families. 

2. That in these remarkable judgments which 
have come on a nation, there is something higher 
than second causes, in bringing them about ; that 
all must confess they arise not out of the dust, but 
that a Divine hand is there ; and truly, though 
some desolating strokes are very terrible in them- 
selves, and blood and ruin should be no matter of 
pleasure, yet we should not only with fear, but 
even some holy congratulation, consider his work. 
To clear this point, consider, (1.) That strange 
concurrence of providences which uses to appear 
when God is against a people ; how all things will 
then conspire, as by a fatal conjunction, to work 
their woe and ruin, that men may see, surely this 
is from a hand against which there is no striving. 
(2.) How such remarkable strokes are seen to con- 
cur with some remarkable height of sin in such a 
nation, so that it is easy then for all to confess the 
righteousness of God therein. (3.) When judg- 
ment is coming on a land, instruments are quickly 



200 THE FULFILLING 

raised, and in a more than ordinary way endowed 
with all advantages for such a service. (4.) There 
is then a visible blasting both of counsel and 
strength ; men are confounded even in the use of 
their ordinary abilities ; their heart and usual 
courage are taken from them. (5.) That astonish- 
ing success which is usually seen to follow those 
whom the Lord sends forth to execute his judg- 
ment ; they move swiftly and with vigour, they 
do not stumble or weary ; neither rivers nor walled 
cities can stand in their way ; mountains are made 
valleys, to show it is the Lord who strengthens 
their loins, and makes the sword and axe sharp for 
his service. (6.) Amidst the various strokes which 
come on a land, can men pass the pestilence with- 
out some special notice ? Where God's immediate 
hand may be clearly seen in its strange progress in 
spreading, which like a lightning often goes 
through cities and countries in a small time ; does 
not this tell aloud to the world that it comes not 
unsent, and without some special commission? 
Ordinary means are not effectual in such extraor- 
dinary plagues, until he who brought them on, also 
by his own hand takes them off. 

3. The clear resemblance which is often between 
sin and the stroke is observable ; how justice keeps 
a proportion, and shapes out the judgment so ex- 
actly, both in measure and kind, that it may be 
easy to see the stroke pointing, as with a hand, to 
the cause by its discernible likeness, and both to 
the righteous judgment of God, which thus mea- 
sures out to men what they have dealt to others. 
We see how the Lord rewarded Agag and Adoni- 
bezek ; how Sodom's burning lust was punished 
with fire from heaven ; yea, what even David re- 
ceived for his murder and adultery ; the sword did 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 201 

not depart from his house, and he was punished in 
his own wives by his own son. (1.) A universal 
overspreading of sin in a land, has usually some 
national stroke following. (2.) Blood waits on 
bloody men, and suffers them not often to live out 
half their days. One oppressor is punished by an- 
other ; the unmerciful man is paid home in his own 
coin. (3.) The proud and insolent are usually 
met by some humbUng, abasing stroke; and such 
as will not honour God, shall not obtain the honour 
which they seek from men. (4.) Those who have 
been most given up to uncleanness are often seen 
not to increase, but their issue is observably made 
to fail, yea is rooted out. (5.) They who have 
chosen sin to shun suffering, have in their sinful 
way, got as large a measure of the latter, as that 
man who, in queen Mary's time said he could not 
burn for the truth, and therefore forsook it, but was 
burned to death at night by the conflagration of his 
house. (6.) The treacherous and deceitful are 
thus dealt with by others ; yea, children who have 
been undutiful to their parents, have from theirs 
met with the same recompense. (7.) Whilst men 
have even denied themselves the necessary use of 
outward things, they are often seen to leave their 
estate to those who quickly waste and scatter it ; 
and thus the sinful parsimony of parents is punished 
by the prodigality of their heirs. (8.) The fre- 
quent use of some dreadful imprecation, is often 
punished by the Lord with a suitable stroke. (9.) 
They who have united themselves against the truth 
have been visibly broken as to their own private 
interest. 

4. How very convincing and obvious this truth 
is, may be seen from the ordinary remarks and 
proverbial sayings which we find in all ages, and 



202 THE FULFILLING 

in every part of the earth, concerning the judgment 
of God: for truly these are an express witness 
how universally this truth is known and received 
by men ; how much the world is convinced thereof 
through a long tract of observation from the fathers 
to the children; yea, thence they have had a di- 
vinity of their own, even a belief that such sins do 
not pass without some notorious punishment. I 
shall name some few of these remarks. (1.) How 
some families have not thriven, but a secret judg- 
ment has been discernible on them since they had 
a hand in some gross acts of wickedness, such as 
bloodshed, &c. their former prosperity from such 
a day visibly dechning. (2.) That an evil pur- 
chase uses not to be of long continuance, but the 
estate is often, in a very strange and insensible way, 
made to vanish, which their children, though fru- 
gal, can by no means keep up ; being purchased by 
fraud, and transmitted with a curse cleaving thereto. 
There is no warding off the judgment of God. (3.) 
How sacrilege has caused a visible waste and con- 
sumption in private estates. (4.) That falsehood 
does not keep its feet, nor a wicked way prosper 
long, whatever it seem to the first view; yea, I 
may add, what was an ordinary saying in the time 
of Esther, that it is not safe troubling the church, 
nor for men to place themselves in opposition to 
God's people. 

5. Is there not the appearance of a Divine hand 
very obvious to the world in the discovery and 
bringing to light some gross acts of wickedness ? 
(1.) By what strange unexpected means these have 
been brought forth, even such as have forced not 
only spectators to some special remark, but have 
even struck the guilty party with wonder and con- 
viction. (2.) How the hand of justice pu suing 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 203 

men for some known crime, as often brings to light 
some which they thought the world could never 
reach ; yea, while men have been found out in one 
sin, it has also brought forth the discovery of some 
other, and forced them to confess that it was a 
righteous judgment. 

6. Is not the dreadful consternation which men, 
after some gross acts of wickedness, feel, a very 
obvious witness to this truth — that there is a God 
who judges in the earth, into whose hands it is a ter- 
rible thing to fall? It shows how great a punish- 
ment wickedness is to itself. The horrid cries of 
many dying men who have most sported with sin, 
may tell bystanders there is a Judge who can 
stretch forth his hand on the soul, whereto no out- 
ward torments are any way comparable. 

7. The extraordinary signs and prodigies which 
usually go before some judgment on a land, clearly 
point at a Divine hand. For as these are a solemn 
forewarning from heaven to alarm men before re- 
markable changes, so they are a convincing testi- 
mony that these judgments are no casual things, it 
being clear, (1.) That such prodigies have been in 
every age visible, and the gravest histories, both of 
ancient and latter times, fully witness them. (2.) 
That such things should also be previous to great 
revolutions in the world, the Scripture is express, 
Joel ii. 30; Luke xxi. II. And as we should 
guard against any superstitious respect, we should 
also beware of stupid atheistical indifference to 
these strange works of the Lord. 

IX. That there are evil spirits, Eph. vi. 12 ; 
Rev. XX. 2, 3, is a truth not only witnessed from 
the experience Christians have of their assaults, 
but is undeniable by the world. 

I confess it may cause fear and astonishment to 



204 THE FULFILLING 

think, that spirits so knowing and originally excel- 
lent have fallen into such indignation against infi- 
nite goodness, that it is now their only pleasure to 
dishonour God, and destroy his image in man. It 
should indeed cause us to fear Him that spared not 
the angels who sinned ; but the truth itself is sure, 
to prove which by arguments, were to light a can- 
dle to let men see that it is day, when it is easy to 
discern that power which the prince of this world 
has upon the children of disobedience ; many are 
transformed, even to the very image of Satan, in 
desperate prodigious acts of wickedness, at which 
we should think human nature, though corrupt, 
could not but tremble, yea, look on with horror. 
But I principally aim here to hold forth what a 
concerning truth this is, and of what great conse- 
quence if seriously considered. 

1. That in this the Scripture is truly fulfilled, 
which witnesses that these spirits are adversaries 
to man, in their nature and inclination desperately 
evil. 2. That they pursue something more pre- 
cious than the body, for their actings have no ten- 
dency to ruin men's estate in the world ; it is the 
soul, the immortal soul. 3. Is it not an undeniable 
consequence of this truth, that there must be an in- 
visible world that has inhabitants of another kind 
than such as are here, that there is some being 
above man, yea, a real correspondence between 
men and spirits? Should not man, thus placed in 
a middle estate between the angels and the beasts, 
partaking in his body with the one, but in his 
reasonable soul with the other, raise himself to 
thoughts of some more excellent condition for 
which he is framed, than a sensual life ? 4. Is it 
not also sure that there is an invisible guard, and 
these desperate spirits are under restraint by a 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 205 

stronger power, which can bound their malice? 
This is certain, that they who have so great enmi- 
ty to man, who are so near, and have such advan- 
tages over us, would not keep at such a distance, 
but that they are kept in chains by a higher power. 
5. How is it that now by the gospel, and within 
the precincts of the church, Satan's power is so 
much restrained ? It is also known that the ora- 
cles of old ceased, and the public worship which 
the world had given them, at the very time of 
Christ's appearance ; these night -beasts getting to 
their dens when the day appeared. Plutarch and 
other heathen writers are witnesses to this. 6. 
Whence is it that within the church, where Satan 
is most restrained, his wrath should be more appa- 
rent than in all the world besides ? There is some- 
thing seen besides men's natural enmity to the 
truth, even a fury and violence in their actings, 
with such an insatiable cruelty against the followers 
of Christ as holds forth a lively resemblance of 
the devil. 7. Is it not sure that there is such a 
party, by this, that he so impetuously tempts men 
to sin, and incites men to war against Heaven by 
curses and blasphemous oaths, which have no plea- 
sure or gain ? 

X. That there is such an enmity between the 
seed of the woman and the serpent as the Scrip- 
ture has held forth, is very manifest. Gal. iv. 29. 
And here let me observe, 

1. That no private quarrel among men has ever 
been pursued with such vigour and malice as this 
of religion, and which still puts the world more 
into a flame than any private interest. 2. That 
this feud could never be adjusted through all the 
successions of time : it is a strife which is not late- 
ly begun, or to be seen only in one age ; no, the 
18 



206 THE FULFILLING 

most sage and wise amongst men, the greatest 
peace-makers, could yet never fall on a way to re- 
concile these two parties, but the children have still 
proved themselves heirs to the hatred of their fa- 
thers against the church. 3. Is it not seen that 
they who are more civil, and can bear with the 
form of rehgion, yet will break forth in greatest 
rage against the power thereof? It is indeed here 
that the inbred contrariety which is in men against 
holiness betrays itself, even in them who are other- 
wise noted for a calm and peaceable disposition. 4. 
What strong natural antipathy is that which causes 
men to pursue with so much bitterness those from 
whom they never had any personal injury ? 5. 
This separates between nearest friends and rela- 
tions, and alienates those who have sometimes been 
most dear to each other ; there is no bond in na- 
ture which it will not break ; it sets the husband 
against the wife, and the parents against the chil- 
dren ; yea, when once reHgion appears in a land or a 
family, it puts all in a flame. 6. When once grace 
appears in men, they are as a sign and wonder to 
a profane generation : the world then sensibly 
changes her countenance, and looks like an enemy ; 
while, on the other hand, the turning loose of pro- 
fessors, and running to that excess of riot with 
others, causes their old adversaries to relent to- 
wards them, and, alas ! proves the surest way to 
gain men's friendship. 

XI. That the creature is made subject to vanity 
because of sin, Rom. viii. 20 ; Eccles. ii. 11, is a 
portion of the Scripture that none can be ignorant of. 

1. Have not the greatest instances of the glory 
of the world been usually the greatest examples of 
its vanity ? How few has ambition raised, but it 
has also ruined ; yea, given the sorest fall to those 



OF THE SCRIPTUHE. 207 

it had lifted most high? Surety if the tragedies of 
princes, and of those who in their condition have 
been raised above others, were put by themselves 
on record, it would show that their prosperous 
estate only made their fall the more observable. 
2. What a frail, dying disposition is in all worldly 
things. Even the greatest kingdoms and politic 
bodies, to maintain which neither policy nor 
strength was wanting, yet, like natural bodies of 
men' have their inevitable periods, their youth and 
flourishing times, their declining and old age, and 
at last their grave ; the glory of greatest empires 
and monarchies is sunk in the dust, yea, scarce a 
heap of stones is left this day to tell us where cities 
once famous have stood. 3. What a small distance 
we see between extremities in outward things, even 
greatest plenty and povert}^, the highest place and 
a low condition, so that the morning has seen some 
happy and flourishing in the world, whom the 
evening has seen miserable. They who were once 
great have sunk into so little bounds, that men have 
been put narrowly to consider them, and with ad- 
miration ask. Are these they who were once a ter- 
ror in the land of the living ? .Yea, their place has 
not been found, who a few days before seemed to 
place themselves alone in the midst of the earth. 
4. What is it but the very present moment of time 
that makes such a difference between the rich and 
poor, since, as to what is past, men's happiness 
and misery may be reckoned as though it had never 
been, and who but a fool would boast of that which 
is to come ? This only is sure, that a few days 
will make all conditions equal, when the bones of 
the rich and the dust of greatest princes will not 
be discernible from those of the poor. 5. Is there 
any thing so pleasant which has not a worm at the 



208 THE FULFILLING 

root thereof, a moth which naturally breeds in the 
most satisfying enjoyments, and quickly eats out 
the heart thereof, and blasts our hope before the 
Imrvest ? How oft is greatest longing in the pursuit 
turned to loathing and weariness when obtained, 
because it is not the nature of the thing, so much 
as the novelty thereof, that makes it pleasant ! 
Hence many sensual men have turned monastic, 
and greatest monarchs become melancholy ; yea , 
it is usual for many to survive their pleasures, and 
bury their delights in the world even before them- 
selves. 6. Is it not found that riches and abund- 
a lice do load more than fill, and that men's wealth 
only further heightens their wants 1 How very 
poor are some amidst their fulness,whom the world 
wholly possesses, while they do not at all pos- 
sess it, neither is it in their power to make use of 
what they have ! Yea, are they not sick, and do 
they not die, in princes' courts as well as in the 
meanest cottage ; and are not the complaints of the 
great and rich usually more than those of the poor ? 
The great man oftener wants an appetite and 
rest, than the poor man wants food and a bed to lie 
on. 7. Voluptuous men move an an endless circle 
from one thing to another ; still calling for variety, 
to take off the weariness of one pleasure by another, 
else the delight they have therein would quickly 
languish and wear out ; yea, the best things are not 
on a near approach what they seemed to be at a 
distance ; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor 
the ear with hearing, but the more they are pressed 
the less they yield, neither do they enjoy such things 
with most satisfaction who take a full draught 
and steep themselves in their enjoyments ; so that 
sometimes men's attaining their desire has caused 
their delio;ht in those thinf^s to cease. 8. It is also 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 209 

clear, that outward things are incident to the worst 
without making them the better, and separable from 
the best without making them the worse ; and how 
can silver or gold suit an immortal soul more than 
virtue and godliness can suffice to fill an empty 
chest. 9. How rare is it for men to get their lot 
in the world accordant with their desire ? They 
are still at some jar w^ith their present condition, so 
that oft there needs no more to make men discon- 
tented, but the thought of some lot which they ap- 
prehend more satisfying than their own ; yea, 
many men's disquiet increases with their wealth. 
10. Is not the excellency of most outward things 
only according to opinion, or the institution of men, 
with but small intrinsic worth from their own 
quality ? What a poor vapour are swelling titles 
of honour if soberly weighed ! The proud man's 
happiness hangs upon the poor who go by, and is 
begged from others with the greatest artifice. 
Would the choicest jewels, or a bag of gold laid 
upon the heart of a dying man, any way quiet his 
spirit or ease his pain ? 11. Amidst the various 
changes of the earth princes and great men walk 
on foot, and servants ride on horseback , the child- 
ren are often put to ask an alms from those who 
had served their fathers : fools are loaded with 
wealth and greatness, while men of the choicest 
spirit are buried under contempt and poverty. That 
which, in one age, is raised, is often pulled down 
in another ; yea, many are at much labour to undo 
that which others have done with greatest care and 
expense. 12. Will not the want of a very small 
thing oft embitter the pleasantest lot ? the smallest 
touch of pain, the tooth -ache, yea, some melan- 
choly thought, will make men disrelish all their 
present enjoyments. What torment does a small 
18* 



210 THE FULFILLING 

affront prove to the proud man even in the midst 
of his glory ? Carnal mirth and joy, and wallow- 
ing in the delights of the world, have still in the 
close a bitter sting, which, as the shadow attends 
the body, is the native and inseparable consequent 
thereof. How usual is it that when there is too 
bright a sun shine in outward prosperity, if great 
sobriety and moderation do not accompany, the 
same is an ominous and fatal presage of a storm ! 
XII. That the end of the upright man is peace, 
Psa. xxxvii. 37, is an undeniable truth, not only 
because the saints are then entering into perfect 
peace, but because, however the godly man may 
have very sharp assaults in the close of his days, 
yet this truth is generally discernible, that integrity 
and an upright walk have much peace in the end, 
and land men in a comfortable harbour. 1 . It has 
not been Balaam's wish alone to die the death of the 
righteous, and to have his latter end like theirs, but 
the worst of men are still forced to testify their 
respect to the lot of a dying Christian, and would 
wish a share thereof when it comes to their turn. 
2. The saints then testify abundant peace, and a 
present unspeakable complacency that they have 
valued Christ above all other advantages, and chosen 
affliction rather than sin ; they cannot smother their 
joy and peace on this account, but declare to all who 
stand by what they find ; and truly it has been oft 
seen that the inward joy which some of these have 
had has exceeded their outward pain, and has been 
more sensible to them than their sickness; yea, in 
leaving the world they have been much more cheer- 
ful than those whom they left behind. 3. With 
what a sweet composure have they relied upon the 
promise ! In that hour when they were grappling 
with the king of terrors, their spirits have been 



OF THE SCEIPTURE. 211 

quiet and calm, they have taken the truth and tes- 
timony of God for their sheild and buckler. 4. 
Even an untimely and violent death could not frus- 
trate that peace which integrity causes. For innu- 
merable instances can witness what marvellous joy 
and satisfaction the saints have shown at a stake 
and upon a scaffold, and thence they have had a 
more cheerful exit than the rich man stretched upon 
his soft bed, or the greatest monarch amidst all 
outward advantages. 5. Must not the world grant 
that this peace and joy at death can be no counter- 
feit, as there is no temptation that could thus bias 
them to deceive others and themselves in a matter 
of such high concernment, and at a time when it 
is expected the worst of men should speak truth ? 
XIII. I add something concerning that great 
truth, The immiortality of the soiil^ and its sub- 
sisting after deaths to which this joy has a special 
respect. I know this seems so common and un- 
controverted a thing, that the naming of it may be 
looked on as impertinent ; but oh ! how unknown 
a truth is it. There needs no more to §how the 
little solid persuasion men have of this truth, but 
that it is so usually passed over with so few, and 
those very common, thoughts ; it is not indeed 
much questioned, not because it is. believed, but 
because men are not in earnest about such a thing. 
It concerns the world to keep from a thorough 
knowledge of that which would be their torment 
to know ; and there is cause for this sad complaint 
within the church, that the most great and funda- 
mental truths are usually least studied. It may 
truly be said, the better part is so buried in the 
worst, that until men are dying, few lay this to 
heart that their souls must live for ever ; yea, must 
part fellowship with the body and enter into an- 



212 THE FULFILLING 

other world and an unknown state until the resur- 
rection. Consider, 1. How express and clear a 
testimony the Scripture gives to this truth. 2. On 
what plain and undeniable grounds of reason this 
truth is demonstrable to the world. 3. How great 
a thing it is to believe and be assuredly persuaded 
thereof. 

1. It is undeniable that not only the Scripture 
holds this forth, but that there only men have a 
clear and right discovery of it. It is indeed known 
what glances the world has had of this, yea, what 
has been written thereon, by some whose sole 
guide was the light of nature ; but it is no less evi- 
dent that though they could not shift some convic- 
tion thereof, it was through a dark cloud, and as 
some pleasant dream, they looked thereon ; because 
they did not know its rise and original, and what 
the end was, to which in its actings it ought to be 
directed ; they knew not what its after-condition 
could truly mean, whence they express their 
thoughts with wavering and uncertainty. How 
perplexed and uncertain have Aristotle and others 
of the ancients shown themselves here ! For they 
knew not the Scripture, where this truth is so 
clearly set forth, Gen. ii. 7 ; Eccles. xii. 7 ; Luke 
xvi. 22, 23 ; Heb. xii. 9 ; 1 Pet. iii. 9. 

5. This may be also held forth to the world by 
such a clear and rational demonstration, that the 
most brutish of men can hardly sink so far into 
the condition of a beast, as to deny they have a 
never-dying soul. (1.) 'If you question the being 
and subsistence of the soul after death,you must 
also deny its frame, that it is a simple, immaterial, 
and active substance, which has neither quantity 
nor parts. (2.) Consider, if by these diseases to 
which the body is subject the soul is not reached, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 213 

must it not also have a distinct existence from it ? 
You must grant that the soul does not directly suffer 
from any outward diseases, but that the body may 
be under inexpressible pain and anguish, when 
there is a sweet calm and serenity within. (3.) 
Does not this witness that the soul dies not with 
the body, since it suffers no decay, but is found 
strong and vigorous in its actings when the flesh 
is brought low ? Yea, is it not at the greatest ad- 
vantage in its exercise and discernment, the more 
it is separate from the body and sensible things ? 
Now, that cannot be destructive to the soul in its 
being, which is so subservient to it in its operation. 
I think they who have ever observed the joy and 
peace of a dying Christian, and his excellent frame 
and composure of soul under a body languishing 
through many diseases, may clearly see this truth, 
and there read a lecture on the immortality of the 
soul. (4.) Can the soul of man have a dependence 
on the body in its being, when it does no way de- 
pend thereon in its acting and exercise ? For it is 
sure it does truly act, yea, has a clear power of 
reasoning, even when the body sleeps. (5.) If 
there are spirits and incorporeal beings which act 
without a body, and yet have a true and real sub- 
sistence, can you doubt the existing of the soul, or 
its exercising the faculties thereof, without the 
body ? And if there be indeed a converse and inter- 
course between us and spiritual beings, yea, a 
truth in fellowship with God the Father of spirits, 
does not this demonstrate the existence and acting 
of the soul, even when the body is at a distance 
and in the grave (6.) That which has a domi- 
nion and pre-eminence over the body, by its making 
a rational choice of good when most opposed to 
the desire of the flesh, yea, which determines it to 



214 THE FULFILLING 

endure most grievous torments with a special de- 
lighting therein, is it not something truly distinct 
from the body ? Now you will not deny that there 
is such a dominion over the flesh, and a captivating 
of it to the law of the mind, which the most sen- 
sual and brutish will not deny, how litde acquaint- 
ance soever they have with it themselves. (7.) 
Since there is a discovery of things not only above 
the reach and impressions of sense, but even con- 
trary thereto, so that men rationally judge and 
assent to truths which truly contradict their senses, 
as the rotundity of the earth, which seems to us a 
plain, &c., does it not show that the soul, which 
can so far soar above the earth, and exceed the 
body, must be of a more excellent mould, and truly 
different from it ? What means that war and strug- 
gling between the flesh and the spirit, which to 
every Christian is known ; yea, that which is 
know to every man, between the passions and 
conscience ? What mean those reflex acts of the 
soul on itself, those marvellous products of the un- 
derstanding ? Why are men so anxious about their 
sui'viving name, which were a poor airy accident 
not worth the regarding, if there were a destruc- 
tion of the whole ] What means that marvellous 
deportment of so many martyrs for the truth, who 
have shown such a joy and satisfaction amidst their 
torments, as though they had no bodies ? What 
means so universal a consent to this truth, that they 
who hate and fear it, yet cannot be rid thereof? 
How are the choice and the excellent of the earth 
so often crushed under the feet of their oppressors, 
whilst the ungodly often wallow in all satisfying 
outward delights, yea, sometimes go hence without 
bands in their death ? In a word, what is it that 
makes so vast a difference between men and beasts, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 21 5 

since these have a sensual life, and want not some 
natural sagacity, and have their enjoyments by the 
senses as well as man ? 

3. How great and astonishing a truth this is ! 
Can we believe that we have an immortal soul, 
which is of a more excellent nature than the visible 
heavens, than the sun, moon, and stars; for which 
no less than the blood of him who was truly God, 
was paid as a ransom from everlasting wrath, and 
yet put so small a price thereon? Is it indeed be- 
lieved by men, whilst they are so hot in their pur- 
suit after the world ? since what should it avail a 
man to gain the whole world, when it is purchased 
with the losing of the soul ? Surely there is no 
imaginable proportion between that and a piece of 
red earth, or between a few years of time and a 
long eternity. I remember a passage of worthy 
Mr. Blair, who the first time he heard Mr. Bruce 
preach, said, The fame of so great a man caused 
him to expect something very extraordinary from 
him ; but his sermon did press this truth of the 
soul's being immortal, and that it was a great thing 
to believe it. He confessed it did at first somewhat 
amuse him, why he dwelt so much upon so known 
and common a subject. But he soon found it was 
some other thing than appears at the first look ; for 
men may dispute and toss it as a notion in the 
schools, who never knew what it was to believe 
the truth thereof; and a serious impression of it on 
the heart, is something else than a swimming in 
the head by some ordinary speculation. Men 
should consider, (1.) What it is they have thus 
held out to them, and how great a change is before 
them. (2.) That this marvellous change is truly 
near ; time making long steps : the vessel under 
full sail carries men, whether they sleep or wake, 



216 THE FULFILLING 

to their port ; for it is sure this cannot be long de- 
ferred, and that this night thy soul may be re- 
quired. (3.) That this change must be in a mo- 
ment, in the very twinkling of an eye, and there is 
no interval, but a present entering of the soul into that 
after state, which shall put the Christian in posses- 
sion of an inconceivable joy, in the immediate pre- 
sence of God, in the embraces of the Mediator, 
amongst the angels and spirits of the just made 
perfect : and one moment also must put others out 
of their sensual pleasures and dehghts, the prince 
off his throne, and those who have been wallowing 
in the world, into those dark and horrid prisons, 
where, with the ceasing of this world's melody, 
they are forthwith met with the horrid noise and 
howling of devils, and of all the company of the 
damned. (4.) Should it not cause us to think 
seriously on this, which admits no after change, 
but a long eternity is the true measure of the souPs 
duration after death ? O to be ever, ever blessed 
or miserable, where the one has no fear, and the 
other no hope, or possibility thereof! The hope 
of the hireling is not there, that he may change his 
master at the next term, for these gates are ever- 
lastingly shut by the decree of him who alters not. 
XIV. I offer one instance more, wherein the 
world may see the truth of the Scripture ; it is this, 
That the way of God is perfect, Psa. xviii. 30, and 
that " his work is perfect, and his ways are judg- 
ment," Deut. xxxii. 4 ; yea, that " he doth all 
things well," Mark vii. 37. This can be said 
neither of angels nor men, but to God it has a pe- 
culiar respect ; even to him alone in whose way 
there is nothing crooked, no mistake, no inequality, 
nothing too much or superfluous, nothing out 
of due time, either too soon, or too late, nothing 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 217 

incongruous, nothing misplaced ; but every part of 
his work leaves matter of wonder behind, and thus 
declares him to be God. I know the world pre- 
tends to find a visible contradiction, from the great 
disorder that things here seem to be in ; the mis- 
carrying of instruments, the strange emergency of 
most grievous accidents, the most promising means 
frequently blasted ; yea, good and evil so strangely 
interwoven, and the present day often undoing the 
work and labour of the former ; yet, whatever the 
world can say to darken this great truth, it must 
shine ; the sun ceases not to shine when the clouds 
obstruct its brightness as to us. 

1. You may see it clearly verified, that the way 
of the Lord is perfect, in the whole frame and 
structure of the church of Christ. It is true, her 
glory is within, and lies not in the common road 
of men's observation ; yea, some parts of this ex- 
cellent body oftentimes are in such disorder, as to 
darken the beauty of the whole ; there is such an 
intermixture of the hay and stubble of human in- 
ventions with this choice building, as mars its order 
and beauty ; the carved work also may be spoiled 
and broken down, as with axes and hammers ; yet, 
with all these disadvantages, there is a glory on the 
church of Christ, an awful majesty, such convinc- 
ing marks of its grandeur even under its ruins, as 
have forced the world and the great men thereof to 
consider that sight with wonder and amazement. 
" They saw, they marvelled, and hasted away," 
Psa. xlviii. 5 ; and the preceding words give the 
reason, for " God was known in her palaces for a 
refuge." Do but consider, (1.) On what a sure 
foundation it is built, even that of the prophets and 
apostles, which is the Scripture of God ; whereon, 
as it is manifestly founded, it is no less marvel- 
19 



218 THE FULFILLING 

lously united and joined together in Jesus Christ, 
the chief corner-stone ! (2.) Is it not likewise ob- 
vious, that the church thus fitly joined together, 
and knit by all that the joints supply, in its 
whole complex frame, grows up as a building to 
the Lord ? Yea, is there not a very close union 
and correspondence between all the parts thereof 
in the same faith and worship, that though divided 
in so many parcels through the world, yet it is still 
one entire body? The variety of members, the 
great inequality amongst them in their growth, the 
remoteness of place, difference of language, exile, 
or change of countries, cannot break off that near 
tie that joins the church of Christ together. (3.) 
It is in the world, yet not of it ; it spreads itself 
among the nations, yet loses not its own distinct 
being ; is mixed with human societies, yet is an 
inclosure and incorporation by herself; a fountain 
of sweet waters sealed, though surrounded with 
this great salt ocean of the world ; made up of 
many particular churches, yet every part of the 
same nature with the whole ; and though it seems 
to be open to sore assaults, yet is a defenced city, 
and has both her walls and watchmen, her bulwarks 
and strong towers. (4.) It is both visible and in- 
visible, yet not two distinct churches, though under 
diverse considerations it comprehends both without 
any jar ; has communion with Jesus Christ as her 
Head, standing related to him as his mystical body; 
and yet as a visible politic body is related also to 
him, as her supreme Head ; receives his govern- 
ment and guidance, and has an express charter 
granted for her rights. (5.) Though it does not 
want some spots, they do not so far mar her beauty, 
but that in all its several administrations there ap- 
pears a singular grace ; it has indeed its blemishes 



OP THE SCRIPTURE. 219 

and failings, yet every measure and degree thereof 
does not forfeit her rights and privileges. (6.) It 
does not want a corrupt mixture, yet in its rule and 
constitution allows no corruption ; and though 
many are found dross within, yet does it distin- 
guish between the precious and the vile ; yea, is 
not more tender and easy in admission, than awful 
and authoritative in rejection. (7.) All her officers 
have their appointment, and each their work as- 
signed, yet no greater variety of service and em- 
ployments than of gifts, which from her Head are 
dispensed and suited to the same. (8.) She is of 
such a mould and frame that though she can boast 
of a power within herself, yet she derives it from 
another fountain. (9.) This is a body, the mem- 
bers whereof are indeed subject to the magistrate, 
and deny no due obedience to that power, yet with- 
out any subordination or subjecting of the church, 
as such, to a human power, and though it has not 
its authority or jurisdiction from men, it denies 
them no just respect ; it binds and looses upon the 
earth, and no human power can make void ; and 
though cast among the nations, yet by peculiar 
bounds she is kept distinct from all other societies ; 
though her government is truly monarchical with 
respect to her Head, yet, with respect to the ser- 
vants and officers, it is a most excellent, well tem- 
pered republic. In a word, both tenderness and 
severity do here concur ; there is a healing in her 
sharpest rebukes and censures, whilst private ef- 
forts are to go before a public and judicial proce- 
dure ; yea, her authoritative determinations are 
without prejudice to the judgment of Christian pru- 
dence and discretion, which belongs to every one 
of her members. She wears not out, but has still 
a spring after the winter; and whilst she is losing 



220 THE FULFILLING 

and in a decay as to particular members, she is 
still travailing in birth for a new offspring and suc- 
cession. " Walk about Zion, and go round about 
her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her 
bulwarks," Psa. xlviii. 12, 13. Surely the word 
is herein fulfilled, " His way is perfect, and he 
does all things well." 

2. Is not this clearly demonstrated, not only in 
the frame, but the whole conduct and administra- 
tion of Providence about the church ? Through 
what a variety of dispensations God brings forth 
his work, and makes his way often break out of 
the bosom of a dark cloud. I know this is a great 
deep, and we cannot have such a discovery of the 
dealings of God about the church, nor so reach the 
meaning of things in their first mould, as when 
that great work of Providence, that now is put over 
in the hand of the Mediator, has its perfect close, 
and the whole frame and contexture shall be set up 
together, as one entire piece to look upon, that is 
now by several pieces, and through a various suc- 
cession of ages, carried on. Yet the Lord comes 
so near even in the darkest times, and makes the 
glory of this truth shine forth in such a measure, 
as may convincingly witness that the way of the 
Lord is perfect. I shall here offer some few things 
that in every time are obvious. (1.) God does no- 
thing in vain, but makes all things congruous to 
his end ; even things that amongst themselves do 
most cross one another. He carries on his designs 
by the miscarrying of instruments, and brings forth 
his greatest works by means small and contempti- 
ble. I know the world can see no such thing, and 
indeed Providence cannot be understood by one 
look ; but, do you discern the motion of the hand 
upon the clock, even whilst it is certainly going 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 221 

forward? yet, when it comes to the hour, and 
strikes, you will then see it was moving. There 
are such periods of Providence, when its meaning 
does not clearly appear until it comes to the strik- 
ing of the hour, and then the most stupid are forced 
to observe, what once seemed most improbable in 
the way of the Lord. (2.) Is it not also obvious, 
how the Lord ensnares men in the work of their 
own hand, and turns their wrath unto his praise ? 
How he takes the wise, and outwits them by their 
counsels, makes events fall out contrary to their 
second causes, frustrates the most promising means, 
and by things unknown and unthought of, often 
brings forth the deliverance of the church ! (3.) 
The church is often fed by the rod, yea, under that 
appears with such advantage, that it may be said, 
her meat has been brought forth out of the eater. 
How usually is her mercy and enlargement pre- 
pared for her by the sharpest down-casting ! (4.) 
The Lord does at once, and by the very same pro- 
vidence, reach many several designs ; yea, bring 
forth various and contrary effects, so that no human 
reason could ever anticipate the result by the pre- 
mises. Severity and mercy are at once brought 
forth ; a more full stroke on the adversary by his 
further raising, yea, by a long forbearance of that 
stroke. The church sinking, yet does not perish ; 
in a flame, yet not consumed, but is thereby kept 
alive ; brought under the yoke of the oppressor, to 
make her grow and flourish; is wounded and smit- 
ten for her further healing ; has a greater weight 
and burden put on, to give her ease and enlarge- 
ment, yea, is chastened with suffering to prevent 
suffering, that she may rest in the day of trouble. 
(5.) What strange things do sometimes fall in be- 
tween the beginning and close of some special pro- 
19* 



222 THE FULFILLING 

vidence about the church ! Yet, in all these, there 
may be discerned a remarkable dependence and 
connexion of things. In such a variety of contrary 
events, and in a long continued tract of providence, 
every thing falls in aright, in its own place ; yea, 
every step, every circumstance is so proportioned 
by a marvellous disposal, to make the whole com- 
plex providence beautiful, that, on a serious re- 
view, the world must confess that this is a conca- 
tenation so strange, that it must be his work, and 
his alone, who sees things from the beginning to 
the end. (6.) How perfect is God's way, who can 
hasten his work by delays ; and when he seems 
to take a long circuit in bringing about his design, 
yet loses no time, but in such a visible going back 
does most effectually move forward ! Yea, he 
makes things fall in, that are very unexpected, and 
remote, to answer his blessed end ; and even dis- 
poses that, which above all seems most directly 
destructive to the church, to be of all other things 
most subservient to her advance ; he brings her 
more quickly to the harbour by a storm than a 
calm. (7.) What a certain, steady motion Provi- 
dence has, whilst the world is reeling to and fro ; 
how the church's mercy has by greatest disappoint- 
ments been more fully answered, than in the most 
probable way ; yea, when her salvation seemed 
furthest off, with what a strange surprise does Pro- 
vidence appear from under the ground with an un- 
expected mercy ! (8.) He puts a peculiar beauty 
upon every occurrence of providence, and brings it 
forth in the very fittest time, so that it could not 
fall out with more advantage to the church. There 
is a cause for her sharpest trials, and the necessity 
thereof is no less discernible, than that of the win- 
ter for the profit and advantage of the earth ; her 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 223 

reviving never came too late, but in the very fittest 
time. The world can see this in the revolutions 
of the year, but not in the changes of the church ; 
yet, I am sure that the church of Christ has her 
sad, and more comforting times here, wlih as dis- 
cernible a succession of the one to the other, as 
there is of the summer to the winter ; yea, that 
under these vicissitudes of her condition, she is still 
seen to look forth with a peculiar advantage. I 
shall add, what a marvellous composition and tern- 
perament of contraries is discernible in this excel- 
lent frame of Providence ! There is nothing here 
incongruous, nothing here too small, and which 
does not fall under its reach, and nothing so great 
that can overreach it ; here is no jar or disagree- 
ing with the diligent use of means, yet this rises 
so far above the same, that no human care can 
bend it, nor is there any running contrary to such 
a current. 

3. I shall yet further pursue this demonstration 
with respect to that great and marvellous work of 
God, in the redemption of the church ; a contri- 
vance more wonderful than this whole structure of 
the universe of the heavens and earth, which are 
so exquisitely framed. For here the thing itself 
is not more astonishing, than the way and conduct 
of infinite wisdom in the whole frame, and all the 
steps thereof. This is, indeed, so far above nature, 
that without a Divine illumination it cannot be un- 
derstood; yet so much is discovered, that they who 
have only report, and give some ordinary assent 
thereto, cannot have their reason and judgment in 
exercise without some conviction upon their souls 
that this is a contrivance above human reach, and 
worthy of the great God ; yea, that herein his way 
is most absolutely perfect. Here we may see so 



224 THE FULFILLING 

excellent a correspondence between the foundation 
and superstructure, that the whole tract of the gos- 
pel is but one entire and complete means for glo- 
rifying God. Here men may see the greatness of 
his power, the inexpressible freedom of his grace, 
the holy severity of justice, all meet and join to- 
gether in a sweet agreement ; where justice is 
maintained, and yet sinners saved ; where mercy 
rejoices over condemnation, vengeance is taken on 
our mventions, and the inventors escape : a re- 
demption without price and absolutely free, as to 
sinners ; yet all that a just God could exact is fully 
paid. Here we may rise and pursue this great 
thing up to the fountain head — the sovereign plea- 
sure of God, and thence follow it down to that 
infinite satisfaction of the Mediator, the great meri^ 
torious cause, and see how marvellously well or- 
dered are all the steps of this way, all the parts of 
this contrivance : how the elect are made meet for 
inheritance through sanctification of the Spirit ; 
how faith has its special concurrence and instru- 
mentality, without prejudice to the absolute free- 
ness of grace, since it is freely given to believe ; 
how these excellent means are, by a most near con- 
nexion, Hnked with the eternal counsel of God, 
and in a most beautiful order joined one with an- 
other. Here sanctification flows from an eternal 
decree, and, like an excellent stream, runs down 
through time, until it loses itself in the great deep 
of everlasting blessedness ; yea, thus the purpose 
of the Lord respecting his people runs underground, 
until it break up at last in their heart by their an- 
swering the call of the gospel. Here you may 
see that grand plot of the devil to undo man, turn 
upon himself, and his head crushed by the seed of 
the woman ; where so glorious a fabric is raised 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 225 

out of so great a ruin, and man established by his 
fall ; where the glory of the sovereign God, the 
freedom of grace, and man's blessedness, at once 
meet together ; where the cure is broad and large 
as the wound, and the restoration made to answer 
to every piece of the ruin, not only in man's being 
ransomed from eternal wrath, but in the marvellous 
change of his nature by the renewing of the Spirit, 
which restores him in part to what he lost. By 
this blessed contrivance we see men brought by 
irresistible grace, yet without violence i their reason 
further raised and refined, yet not broken, and its 
true liberty not taken away, but restored ; yea, a 
notable consistency between moral persuasive argu- 
ments and the efficacious power of grace ; between 
men's planting and watering, in the use of means, 
and the alone increase thereof from the Lord ; be- 
tween a physical and moral concurrence in pro- 
ducing one and the same effect ; between those two 
desires in prayer. Da, Domine, qiiodjuhes, etjuhe 
quod vis,^ How marvellous a contrivance is that 
wherein the blessed majesty of God finds an argu- 
ment in himself, when man had none to plead ; 
when he was found in the form of a servant, and 
became our nearest kinsman to redeem the inherit- 
ance ; where his people's standing is insured by 
another surety and strength than their own ; not 
on their apprehending, but their being apprehend- 
ed ; where the Lord obliges himself by bond to 
make that good, which is only of grace, and is 
most freely given ; where he frames the desire 
within the soul, and then satisfies it ! Here the 
redeemed have nothing in themselves to boast, and 



* Give, Lord, what thou commandest, and command 
what thou wilt. 



226 THE FULFILLING 

the reprobate none but themselves to eondemn ; for 
those on whom that door is shut, have therein 
actively concurred to draw a bar for shutting them- 
selves out. 

4. I shall offer one instance more, wherein this 
great truth may be demonstrated to the world — 
that the way of the Lord is perfect with respect to 
the marvellous order of nature, and the disposal of 
his works. God comes so near, that men may feel 
after him. Acts xvii. 27 ; so that it may be said, 
there is no way to avoid this discovery, but to stop 
their ears and shut their eyes. O what a won- 
derful disposal may be seen even in the commonest 
things, with a mutual subserviency to each other ; 
and in this great variety and throng of the creatures, 
is it not obvious that each has its voice and speech 
to give us something of instruction, and every thing 
has some matter of wonder in it, so that we may 
say, it is hard to be an atheist? We cease to 
wonder, because every day we live and converse 
amongst wonders. Here the world has a demon- 
stration of the Scripture which they dare not de- 
bate, lest they should deny sense as well as reason; 
and if any will question the glorious Former of all 
things, why things are thus ordered and disposed, 
let him but retire within himself, and he will find 
the defect is truly within, and not in the way of 
the Lord. In this frame and composure of the 
universe each thing answers its part, and the con- 
servation of the whole; amidst a great contrariety 
an excellent concord is manifest in all the different 
parts, natures, and dispositions. Not only duty, 
but delight and pleasure, may call men to this study; 
yea, even to lose themselves, as it were, in so sweet 
a labyrinth, where it is more easy to enter than to 
find an end. Do but consider this stupendous 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 227 

frame of the universe, a fabric that in all parts is 
most exactly joined, and nothing in it defective or 
out of order. Here you may see that great minis- 
ter of nature, the sun,, .with what advantage it is 
placed, and fitted to dispense its light and refresh- 
ing influences to the earth, so that to move in a 
higher or lower orb would not answer the advan- 
tage of things below. With what a constant mo- 
tion does its light travel to fulfil its annual course, 
and in divers parts successively arise, that by 
turns it may give the several parts of the earth a 
visit ! Should we cease to wonder at the rising 
and setting thereof, because it is so frequently 
seen? May not this arrest our thoughts with 
astonishment, to see with what wisdom it is made 
subservient all along its course, to cause summer 
and winter, spring and harvest ; yea, how its ap- 
proaches and withdrawings are gradual : that by 
its ascent in the spring it may dispose our bodies 
for the summer, and by its descent in such a de- 
gree in the harvest, may prepare and fit us for 
the winter, that there should not be an immediate 
bordering between these extremes? Is not the 
correspondence that it has with things here below 
also manifest, it not only reaching the surface of 
the earth, but the most inward bowels and secret 
caverns thereof? Is it not also evident, that this 
glorious body of the moon, though of a lesser glory 
than the other, is for another use than for men to 
gaze on ; how it keeps them from groping in utter 
darkness through the night, and lights a candle to 
the world when the sun is gone down? Its in- 
fluence is known also upon the sea, upon seeds and 
plants, yea, upon the humours and complexion of 
men's bodies. O what innumerable employments 
are there by which it is made continually subser- 



228 THE FULFILLING 

vient to the world ! The night has its special use, 
as well as the day; yea, it has its peculiar beauty, 
and by its darkness commends the light, and makes 
its approach more sweet and desirable. This gives 
the labouring world some time for repose, and 
most observably answers man's weariness, and the 
necessity of such a rest with so fit a season, that 
we may say it but draws a curtain about us for 
that end, and puts us in a sweet and silent compo- 
sure from the noise and hurryings of the day. 
Yea, every evening solemnly warns men of their 
approaching death, and the swift passing away of 
time, that they may have no excuse of being sur- 
prised who have so grave and so frequent a moni- 
tor. How marvellous are the various motions of 
the heavens, the positions of the stars and constel- 
lations, where each has its own proper course, yet 
all are carried about to one general and common 
end, to show there must be a first mover who is not 
subject to motion or change, but manifestly deter- 
mines all these ! How does this great body of the 
earth hang upon nothing ! a thing so vast and pon- 
derous lean upon the air as on a foundation ! How 
does it keep its centre, and rest thereupon ! How 
steady is the axis of the earth, so perpetually 
parallel with itself, that it cannot tumble this or 
that way ! What a marvellous order is seen in 
those higher motions of the celestial bodies, of 
which some are slow, others more rapid, some 
tend to the east, others toward the west, and yet 
from these, though cross to each other, there re- 
sults a singular harmony, in which the conservation 
of the world and the production of things here below 
are concerned ! It is true, the Lord might have 
made every day a year's length, and might have 
caused the earth to be that length of time in turn- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 229 

ing round ; but he divides our life in such short 
daily stages to make us more frequently mind our 
change. We see Ukewise how marvellously the 
earth is framed in its various parts and proportions, 
and the singular advantage it has, both in its pos- 
ture and figure ; the mountains and high places do 
not mar its beauty nor want their use. Is not na- 
ture likewise more displayed and laid open to men 
by the plains and valleys, which are a special or- 
nament to the earth ? How manifold is the use of 
the atmosphere which is in the vast space between 
the higher and lower world ! Here the birds find 
use for their wings, through this the rains find an 
easy passage, this intervenes between the sun and 
the earth, yet is no let to the communication either 
of light or heat, but its scorching is thus qualified 
by the cool breathing of the air. How are the 
winds directed and bounded, so that men can 
neither cause a storm nor a calm at their pleasure! 
Can you look on the sea, and not wonder what 
marvellous things are there ; how it is shut up with 
gates and bars, and has appointed bounds, with- 
out which there could be no reason that a bank of 
sand should restrain the great ocean from breaking 
forth ; strange that this not only is made passable, 
but, by the art of navigation, becomes a more easy 
way for transport and commerce, by which cities 
and countries are made to flourish ! Do you not 
see the regular course it keeps in its ebbings and 
flowings, and the singular use and subservience of 
the tides ; so that though men are stopped in an 
inquiry about the natural cause of these things, 
they cannot but observe the special end and advan- 
tage thereof? Do we not also see that those coun- 
tries which have no rain, as Egypt, have some 
supply thereof by an overflowing of the rivers ? 
20 



230 THE FULFILLOa 

Do you see any members either of men or beasts 
superfluous and without use ; or is there any 
poison but has some peculiar antidote provided? 
The poor have medicinal waters provided without 
money. What a marvellous use is there of natural 
antipathies and sympathies, whereon the special 
improvement of navigation in the use of the load- 
stone so much depends ! The harvest gives a large 
compensation for the toil of the spring ; and the 
poor man's labours, through the day, make his bed 
soft in the evening, and his rest sweet unto him. 
You see the correspondence which the heavens 
keep with the earth, in sweet refreshing showers, 
by which its seminal virtue is drawn forth, and 
thus the rain moistens what the heat would scorch ; 
you see how it is distilled and dropped down, not 
in violent gushes, but as it were through a small 
sieve, for otherwise it would hurt more than help ; 
you would not desire to be without rain, nor yet 
to have it perpetual. The vapours are exhaled 
from the earth, that by refreshing showers they 
may return thither again. O how manifold are 
the works of the Lord, and in what wisdom has 
he made them all ! The pain and travail of the 
beasts in bringing forth their young is propor- 
tioned to their condition, and to the lodging they 
have. "They bow themselves, they bring forth 
their young ones, they cast out their sorrows," 
Job xxxix. 3; and as their time and duration is, 
for the most part, shorter than man's, their growth 
also is suited thereto. Men have their lodging 
furnished before they come into the world ; the 
beasts are provided, and by a wonderful instinct 
they are taught to seek after them. The want of 
hearing or sight is usually compensated with some 
special natural sagacity ; yea, a want and defect in 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 231 

some parts of the body is often supplied with a 
greater agility in some other members thereof, such 
as that woman in Scotland, of whom I have heard, 
who had no arms from her birth, but could make 
use of her right foot instead of her hand. The 
beasts have some natural defence, and are taught 
self-preservation ; and what the hare and hind 
want of the lion's paw and strength, is made up 
often by a more swift foot. There is an advan- 
tageous antipathy amongst the beasts, lest the earth 
should be overrun with those which are hurtful. 
The dog is fitted by a strange tendency to pursue 
the wolf and the fox, and the cat to destroy the 
rat ; and the ox, whose strength is above many of 
the wild beasts, is tamed to endure the yoke, and 
brought under discipline. Those things which 
are most absolutely necessary are most easy to be 
had ; and whilst there is such a variety of labour 
and toil attending the lot of man here, does not 
the earth also afford a variety of delights ? The 
birds need no instructor to build their nests, and 
choose a fit place, nor do they mistake their sea- 
sons ; yea, those sweet musicians, by their natural 
melody, call men to praise, whose debt is much 
above theirs. There is a marvellous coalition be- 
tween the graft and the tree, which exceeds human 
art, if nature did not so wonderfully co-operate 
therein. The seed thrown into the ground dies 
and rots there, that it may rise with the greater 
lustre and advantage, and by such a significant 
emblem teaches men the certainty of the rising of 
their bodies ; for the ordinary things of nature are 
great and convincing hieroglyphics, to hold forth 
more divine things. You see what veins of coal 
and other minerals go through the earth, whence 
it is furnished, and has fit materials for daily use, 



232 THE FULFILLmO 

and for an improvenaent of men's faculties. The 
earth is watered by an intercourse which springs 
and rivers have with the sea ; and what some parts 
of the world want, is by other things supplied. 
Every country has some peculiar advantages ; the 
coldest places of the earth do most abound with the 
warmest furs; the beasts want not their table; and 
the li]y is well clothed. Doth the grass of the 
ground want its use 1 yea, is not the very colour 
thereof notably suited for men's eyes? What 
cause of wonder is there in the different forms, the 
virtues, and variety of plants ! The little ants have 
their magazine and storehouse ; the bees want not 
order and government ; yea, no human skill can 
frame such work as theirs. But O man ! what a 
curious and exquisite fabric is that which did come 
in among the last of the creation? A most rare 
piece of work, of a strange, various, and subtle 
composition, in which there is so notable a har- 
mony made up of many contraries. I think they 
who would learn atheism are not only concerned 
to stifle their reason, but to shut their eyes from 
looking on themselves and the frame of their bodies, 
which is so curiously wrought with nerves, sinews, 
and veins, with such a variety of parts, and yet 
not one bone or muscle superfluous. 

THE FOURTH ARGUMENT TO PROVE THE FULFIL- 
MENT OF SCRIPTURE. 

Argu3ient IV, to prove the Scripture's accom- 
plishment, is this — That the most part of it is 
fulfilled, and may be at this day clearly read in the 
event, and but a little part remains to be made out. 

I would premise some few things. 

1. Though the Scripture takes place in every 
generation as if it were alone directed to that time, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 233 

yet a special part has its proper accomplishment 
in those ages to which in a peculiar way it relates. 

2. It is also sura that the whole work of God, 
and his providence about his church, are compre- 
hended in the written word, where the Lord has 
fully revealed his mind concerning every interest 
of the church, though we often are in the dark in 
finding out the same ; but the event will in due 
time speak for itself, which should cause us until 
then to pass our judgment with much sobriety on 
those truths not as yet fulfilled. 

3. The prophets of old not only foretold such 
great changes as were to happen to the church, 
but they often point at the times, and periods of 
time, to which they related ; and though some- 
times in dark terms, yet they clearly show that 
there was a certain prefixed time for their per- 
formance. 

4. The full accomplishing of the Scripture and 
the perfecting the Lord's work about his church, 
will take place at once, and then there shall be a 
full discovery of God's way in providence. 

I would lay down these two things to be con- 
sidered. 

L What is already accomplished ; and, IL What 
yet remains to have an accomplishment. 

L What IS already accomplished, 

1. Let us go back to those first times after the 
fall, and see that dreadful stroke which came upon 
the old world by the flood, and we shall there 
find the fulfilling of that which Noah, the great 
preacher of righteousness, had often foretold. (1.) 
No records of ancient times could ever contradict 
this truth ; yea, some of the oldest writers clearly 
witness something of a universal deluge, with the 
wonderful preservation of some from it, though 
20* 



234 THE FULFILLING 

they were in the dark as to many circumstances. 
(2.) This might be brought about even in the way 
of natural causes made use of for that end ; for we 
find that the windows of heaven being opened, the 
air being condensed into clouds, and their reten- 
tive power loosened, the water falling not in 
drops, but in a full body, might soon overwhelm 
the earth with abundance of water ; while the foun- 
tains also of the great deep beneath were broken 
up ; that is, not only the ocean let forth over its 
banks, but a universal vent to all the veins of the 
earth ; which waters meeting those that were from 
above, may give men a clear and rational account 
how such a thing might be. (3.) This part of 
history is most congruous to the whole scope of 
the Scripture, as it points out a universal defec- 
tion and a universal stroke meeting together ; it 
leads us forward to Christ, of whom the ark was 
an excellent shadow, in that salvation which in 
and by him the church has from eternal wrath ; 
and is a manifest pledge of that last destruction 
of the world, which will find men in the same 
condition as this flood found them in the days of 
Noah. 

2. The confounding of man's language is ex- 
pressly threatened by the Lord, Gen. xi. 7, as a 
judgment upon men for their ambition and pride, 
and is most clearly verified in the event. (1.) 
There is such a confusion and variety of langua- 
ges in the earth at this day ; and by this confusion 
the earth is divided, and one part thereof rent from 
another, commerce and correspondence made diffi- 
cult, and a bar drawn between nations by a diffe- 
rent speech. Yea, the most ancient records of the 
world witness these languages to have originated 
in ancient times. (2.) No tradition or history, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 235 

but the Scripture, gives us an account how or 
whence it began. Yea, they who have written 
most of other things, can give no reason why they 
write in one language rather than in another, but 
that it is proper to the country where they had 
their education ; how the race of men, who have 
such a community in other things, should be thus 
divided, is a mystery which Divine truth alone 
can unveil. (3.) There is no language but what 
is acquired either by long continued use, as chil- 
dren do their mother tongue, or by set rules. It 
is true, Adam had his by some extraordinary infu- 
sion, but this is the case with no others. (4.) This 
diversity of languages is a most strange and mar- 
vellous thing, and in no ordinary way, yea, not 
without a miracle, could it be brought about, and 
no continuance of time, or invention of men can 
account for it, if we consider, [1.] That if man 
can be traced back to some beginning, there must 
then have been some one language ; so that if you 
admit the truth of the creation, you admit also but 
one language to have existed in the beginning. 
[2.] That men could not choose so great a judg- 
ment on themselves, if they had any use of reason, 
as it would divide between them and the great part 
of mankind, hinder trade and interchange with 
other countries in exporting or importing neces- 
sary commodities, would also obstruct human 
knowledge, and the excellent inventions and ex- 
periments of other places ; yea, give man, whose 
days are so few, a sore labour to acquire but a few of 
the many different languages in the world. [3.] It 
is above human understanding, how, in an ordi- 
nary way, such different languages could have 
been found out, and afterwards acquired by the 
body of nations ; yea, how there should be such 



236 THE FULFILLING 

an agreement in this amongst a vast multitude of 
different tempers and capacities. It is obvious 
there must have then been an inventing of the first 
radical languages ; I mean, those that are not de- 
pendent upon one another; and therewith a vast 
dictionary of words, with a determination of their 
significancy and rules to conjoin them in senten- 
ces, must have necessarily been framed. The 
abandonincr also of their former lanojuage, so far as 
to the bringing of it into oblivion, would require 
the universal concurrence of the multitude. I con- 
fess this were not so strange if such a difference 
between languages were but in some peculiar 
mode or propriety of phrases, as in the alteration 
of words, according to the various tempers and 
climates of the earth ; but we see different langua- 
ges, wholly independent, not only in original 
words, but in the very frame and bulk, such as 
can be no compound of other languages, as many 
modern tongues are. The Scripture only can re- 
solve how this is ; for besides many commixtures 
and variations of languages which through con- 
tinuance of time, conquest, and mingling of na- 
tions together, exist in the world, there are many 
that may be judged mother tongues, of which, 
whatever minute variation there has been by the 
adding of some new words, or the disusing of 
others, the whole bulk remains entire. [4.] What 
a strange and marvellous thing must this be, if we 
consider that ancient maternal languages were pre- 
vious to the use of letters, whence alone rules 
could be conveyed from one to another, if it had 
been only human invention ; for w^e know from 
surest antiquity, how long it was before several 
nations learned a further way to communicate 
knowledge and represent their conceptions than 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 237 

by speech, or some significant symbols or hiero- 
glyphics, which were then in use to supply the 
want of letters. Little either by pen or printing 
has been discovered to the world till of late ; very 
little even of the Greek language is upon record 
before Homer's time. Now this clearly demon- 
strates that in an ordinary way these languages 
could not then have been acquired. (5.) The 
Scripture determines that by these different lan- 
guages, nations and families were at first divided. 
Gen. xi.; yea, that this was the first rise of divi- 
ding them. Thus did the Lord inclose his church 
in Israel, and by this diversity of languages outlaw 
the rest of the earth ; for in Israel was that venera- 
ble first language of the Hebrews kept up, by 
which the sacred oracles of the Old Testament 
were made known. And as God displayed his 
power in the first confusion, so in the subsequent 
gift of tongues. And the latter mercy was as re- 
markably subservient to the diffusion, as the for- 
mer judgment was to the preservation of his holy 
word. 

3. The church's delivery from Egypt was fore- 
told by Joseph at his death, and has now for many 
ages been fulfilled. (1.) This was a deed known 
and public, not done in a corner, but in the view 
of the world, and before all the children of Israel. 
(2.) It was testified by Moses, an eye witness 
thereof; one whom even the most ancient of hea- 
then writers mention with much respect, and in 
this never disputed his testimony, though a matter 
of that moment that all the nations about could not 
but know it. They might easily refute such a 
thing, if false, and the Egyptians and many others 
could want no good will to disgrace a people they 
so much hated, nor be ignorant of that which 



238 THE FULFILLING 

Moses published in his own time. (3.) A truth 
delivered to the Jews, to be kept by them and their 
children in all succeeding ages, and the record of 
which they so narrowly looked to and reverenced, 
that all the syllables and letters thereof were by 
them numbered, lest in the smallest point it should 
be wronged. (4.) A thing the remembrance where- 
of was from that time yearly celebrated by the 
Jewish church, whence the institution of the pass- 
over had its rise ; that deliverance being a sign 
and sacramental pledge of the great salvation by 
him who is our true Passover. 

4. The more full growth of the Jewish church. 
The prophecy by dying Jacob that the Jews should 
enjoy a sceptre, and the promise to Abraham that 
his seed should be as the sand of the sea, and enjoy 
Canaan for an inheritance, have long since been 
fulfilled. (1.) For many ages Israel enjoyed that 
land in a most flourishing condition, as appears 
from the very ruins and desolation over which they 
have so long lamented, and from the once famous 
glory of Jerusalem and the temple, which causes 
a reverence amongst them to the very rubbish 
thereof to this day. (2.) They were once a peo- 
ple by themselves, not mingled with the nations, 
but kept at a distance by their religion and laws 
from the rest of the world, as a peculiar people to 
the Lord. (3.) Whilst they enjoyed the land, there 
was a singular blessing of fruitfulness thereon ; 
that so small a piece of ground was enough for an 
innumerable multitude of inhabitants ; but is at 
this day a barren sand : an extraordinary curse being 
no less apparent now, than a blessing in former 
times. (4.) Something in the way and carriage of 
this people, even in their low wandering condition, 
discovers that they have not forgotten their former 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 239 

grandeur and flourishing, but still keep by them- 
selves, with some hope of regaining the land which 
their fathers enjoyed. 

5. That part of the Scripture written by Jere- 
miah, which concerns the Babylonish captivity, 
has now many ages since been fulfilled ; a truth 
attested by sacred and profane history. As to this 
particular prophecy, consider, (1.) That which 
Jeremiah foretold concerning the captivity, and its 
completion, was put on record in a book of the 
church's lamentations. There this truth may be 
read in her tears, and besides, is witnessed by a 
visible monument, even the destruction of the tem- 
ple, which, though rebuilt, never attained to its 
former splendour. (2.) This was a matter of fact 
noted and famous at the time, done in the view of 
all the nations, a considerable piece of the Babylo- 
nian conquest; yea, the testimony of the Scripture 
was, a few ages after, made public to other parts 
of the world by the Septuagint translation, so that 
it had been easy for Ptolemy, or any in those 
times, to have discovered the falsehood of a thing 
so lately done. (3.) Though much of human 
history be lost, and the records we now have are 
both corrupt and defective, yet there wants not 
consent from the best of these, to many of the 
most observable things in the history of the Old 
Testament. Some of the oldest writers, Berosus, 
Herodotus, and Xenophon, give some light to us, 
whose witness the atheist cannot challenge ; yea, 
it is clear that Josephus, not only from sacred his- 
tory, but from the fragments of former times then 
extant, though since lost, composed his Jewish 
Antiquities which give so particular a relation of 
this truth. 

6. What was foretold by Daniel concerning the 



240 THE FULFILLING 

rise and fall of the monarchies, has for many ages 
past had a most punctual performance. (1.) The 
prophecy of Daniel was translated into Greek, and 
laid up in the great library of Alexandria, long be- 
fore much of it was fulfilled ; even before Antiochus 
Epiphanes, and the rising of the Roman empire, 
of which Porphyry could not be ignorant, though 
all he could answer to that evident agreement be- 
tween the prophecy and the event was, that it must 
have been written after these things were accom- 
plished ; but it is clear that a part of the prophecy 
of Daniel, which concerned the fourth monarchy, 
was not fully accomplished even in his times ; yea, 
something thereof reaches to the last end of time. 
(2.) In these great revolutions of the monarchies 
there is a discernible harmony between the Scrip- 
ture and those ancient records which we have of 
those times, so that not only the things themselves, 
but some of the most observable circumstances, par- 
ticularly those mentioned by Daniel, may be read 
in Xenophon, Herodotus, and Diodorus Siculus, 
(3.) Some things, which in Daniel's prophecy 
seem most improbable, such as Belshazzar's death 
in the very night when the hand-writing was 
showed to him, are particularly attested by Xeno- 
phon's history ; as that Cyrus took the advantage 
of the Babylonian security, whilst they were in 
the midst of a solemn feast, and by diverting the 
channel -of the Euphrates entered the city without 
opposition. The great horn of the he-goat being 
suddenly broken, and the coming up of four in his 
room, expounded by Daniel of the Grecian mo- 
narchy and the dividing of that empire after Alex- 
ander's death, is punctually corroborated by all the 
histories of that time. (4.) There was a very con- 
vincing appearance of a Divine hand in the rise 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 241 

and fall of these monarchies, and an extraordinary 
providence appears both in Cyrus' conquest of the 
Babylonians, and the marvellously swift progress 
and success of Alexander against the Persians. 

7. The great scope of prophecies under the Old 
Testament. The coming of the Messiah is veri- 
fied ; the Lord is come unto his temple, even he 
whose day Abraham and the saints under the law 
did see long after. This was the most notable crisis 
that ever the church was under : the great epoch 
of time from which she now reckons. God was 
manifest in the flesh, made his abode for some 
time in the earth, suffered at Jerusalem before many 
witnesses, arose from death on the third day, was 
seen and known by his disciples, and having 
finished the work for which he came, was received 
up again into glory. (1.) It is undeniable that the 
Messiah was to come, to whom all the sacrifices 
under the law, the ancient types and shadows, 
clearly pointed, and to whom the prophets bore 
witness ; this was the faith of the ancient Jewish 
church, of which promise they were persuaded, 
even whilst they saw it from afar. There is a 
most clear and exact portrait of the Messiah drawn 
under the Old Testament, to teach us by what pe- 
culiar characters he who was to be revealed to 
Israel should be known. (2.) The special period 
of time v/herein Christ should come, was shown 
to the ancient church, though under some figura- 
tive expressions ; yet, this truth was so far revealed, 
that upon a diligent search, and particular collation 
of the times, it was easy to discern the Messiah's 
coming and near approach. And truly the fall of 
the monarchies, and the computing of Daniel's 
weeks, were solid grounds for a clear exposition ; 
thence there was a general expectation of the Mes- 
21 



242 THE FULFILLING 

siah among the Jews, at the very time when he 
came, so that divers impostors arose, whom the 
people were ready to follow ; and we see with 
what amazement the Pharisees inquired of John 
the Baptist, if he were the Christ, or not. Yea, 
Josephus shows that the persuasion of this most 
excited the people to war with the Romans, from 
the prophecies they had in holy writ, that from 
Judea one should arise who was to be Emperor of 
the world. (3.) It is also sure there was such a 
one, who, in the days of Tiberius, and under the 
reign of Herod, was made manifest to Israel ; who 
came with no outward show, but did great and 
marvellous things before all the people ; was cru- 
cified at Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, and, 
notwithstanding the ignominy of his death, was 
adored and followed both by many of the Jews 
and gentiles ; whose doctrine did in a short time 
spread through the world. (4.) This appearance 
of Christ to the world exactly concurred with the 
time foretold by the prophets. Jacob's prophecy 
was thus accomplished, for the royal line of Da- 
vid's house did not cease, until Herod a stranger 
came, by whom it was utterly cut off. The 
seventy weeks mentioned by Daniel must be un- 
derstood of years ; for, reckoning from the decree 
given out by Cyrus to rebuild the temple, they 
amount to 490 years, and answer to the very time 
of Christ being in the world, and to his death, 
which necessarily falls in the last of these weeks. 
(5.) In him who at that time was revealed to Is- 
rael, whom the Christian church this day wor- 
ships, was exactly accomplished whatever was by 
the prophets foretold concerning the Messiah ; and 
it is no small advantage for the Christian cause, 
that it needs but appeal to these records which 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 243 

have been kept in the hands of her adversaries, 
where there is so clear a portrait held forth, of his 
person, his way of coming, the place whence, the 
entertainment he should meet with, and his death, 
so that it is a contradiction to acknowledge the 
Old Testament, and not grant the New ; since the 
Jews look for no other Messiah than such a one 
as is held out by the prophets, and they acknow- 
ledge also the Divine authority of Isaiah, Daniel, 
Micah, Malachi, &c., who by clear marks point 
him forth, and show the Church how they should 
know him when he cometh ; for it is not more 
certain that the Messiah should come, than that 
Jesus Christ is he. What do the Jews this day 
miss in our blessed Lord Jesus, which the Old 
Testament warrants them to expect in the Mes- 
siah ? Should he not be of the seed of the wo- 
man. Gen. iii. 15, born of a virgin as Isaiah show- 
eth, his voice not heard in the streets, despised 
and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, &c? Such 
a one as should be made a sacrifice for sin, yea, 
who should come with no outward pomp, but 
meek and lowly, and riding upon an ass ; that he 
should be betrayed and sold, and his price was 
noted by Zechariah at thirty pieces ; a crucified, 
dying Christ, and cut off from among the children 
of his people? (6.) The Jews, in their present 
case, cannot possibly expect the accomplishment 
o^ this promise ; the Messiah cannot now come 
according to the Scripture, except they could be 
put in such a condition as they were in at Christ's 
coming. He cannot appear in the temple which 
is utterly destroyed ; there is now a subversion of 
the tribes, and the family of David is not known 
at this day. Yea, the gentiles are brought in, 
who Isaiah shows should be gathered under the 



244 THE FULFILLING 

standard of the Messiah ; the daily sacrifice has 
ceased for many ages, and this was to be after his 
coming. How was that ever fulfilled, that the 
glory of the second temple should exceed the 
glory of the first ? This could not be on the ac- 
count of its structure, or outward magnificence ; 
there is nothing wherein this glory could appear, 
but in the advent of Christ, and the dawning of 
that glorious light which was before its destruc- 
tion. (7.) An innumerable company have em- 
braced the gospel, and received the Spirit by the 
ministry thereof since the times of the Apostles : 
it may be said, these were the excellent of the 
earth in their time, of the greatest outward parts 
and abilities, whose moral integrity and candour 
was beyond question, Jews and gentiles, of all 
ranks of men, of all nations and languages, who 
not only by a naked profession, but by their walk 
and sufferings, have shown forth the power and 
virtue of a crucified Christ; yea, have shone as 
lights in the world. (8.) We see a manifest 
agreement between the New Testament and the 
doctrine of the ancient Jewish church. As the 
five books of Moses hold forth the sum of the gos- 
pel, the covenant of grace, and the mystery of sal- 
vation by Christ, so the prophets carry it on with 
further clearness, and the evangelists complete it, 
like an excellent edifice, that is founded and ad- 
vanced in the one, but perfected in the other; all 
breathing the same spirit, so that we may say, the 
Jews under the law were in effect Christians, and 
the followers of Christ under the gospel are in 
some respect Jews, both being one in the sub- 
stantial of religion ; for it is clear, the poor apos- 
tate people now called Jews, have wholly departed 
from their own doctrine, and will not come to the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 245 

light that they may be judged according to the 
Old Testament. Can paganism, the Turkish 
Koran, or Jewish Talmud, hold forth any such 
doctrine as the Christian reh'gion does, such pure 
and excellent precepts to restrain the inordinancy 
of corrupt affection, backed with arguments be- 
coming an immortal soul ; a doctrine so sincere, 
solid, and rational, so consistent with itself, where 
every page and line breathes forth holiness towards 
God, and righteousness and humanity towards 
man? (9.) The clear, convincing evidences of 
the truth of the gospel, which attended the first 
publishing thereof, may force the greatest atheist 
to silence; for, [1.] They were Jews, concerned 
in the religion of their fathers, who first published 
the gospel ; none more zealous according to the 
law than Paul before his conversion ; none could 
pretend their deriving an outward interest hereby, 
since persecution and bonds, yea, greatest hazard 
was that only which they could expect. [2.] They 
walked by no rule of human policy, nor by the 
ordinary ways of insinuation which the world uses 
to engage men and to make a party ; but delivered 
the truth, a truth most repugnant to the flesh, with 
the greatest candour and simplicity, though with a 
convincing authority ; yea, they came with a mes- 
sage to the world, which had no other persuad- 
ing argument but the evidence of its own truth. 
[3.] What is published concerning Christ by the 
evangelists, the great w^orks he did, his dying at 
Jerusalem, with all the stupendous circumstances 
thereof, were things not done in a corner, but in 
the public view of men ; but yet, there cannot be 
produced one contradictory testimony to the truth 
of these relations, by any adversary of the gospel, 
either at that time, or since. These things were 
21* 



246 THE FULFILLING 

published early by the evangelists and apostles, 
whilst that generation was alive ; yet, though in a 
matter of such concernment, which made then so 
great a noise, and was at that time putting the 
earth all in a flame, none was found, either among 
Jews or gentiles, who could, or durst pretend to 
discover the least cheat or falsehood in them. 
[4.] Whatever different parties and sects opposed 
the truth in other things, in this they all con- 
sented, that he who was crucified at Jerusalem 
was the Messiah. If there could have been the 
least ground to challenge any imposture in this 
great foundation of the Christian faith, surely the 
bitter contentions and heat of those whom the 
Apostles and church in that time did pursue with so 
much zeal, and the sharpest censures, would have 
engaged them to put all the disgrace upon the 
truth which they could. Even the arguments and 
objections which the adversaries of the gospel have 
brought against it, are a convincing confirmation. 
The Jews assert that the great works Christ did 
in the days of his flesh were performed by steal- 
ing the name of Jehovah out of the temple ; this 
needs no refutation, and even here they are forced 
to witness the truth of the matter of fact. The 
later atheists, such as Vaninus, Cardan, &c. dare 
not challenge the facts, only they ascribe the great 
works which Christ wrought to the influence of 
the stars, a thing so absurd that it needs no 
answer. 

8. The remarkable prophecy of the ingathering 
of the gentiles, Isa. liv. 1,2; Ix. 3 — 9, is a thing 
now clearly written forth in the event. Now to 
clear this, consider, (1.) That for many ages this 
truth, the calling of the gentiles, was sealed up in 
a prophecy, and was so astonishing to the ancient 



OP THE SCRIPTURE. 247 

Jewish church, that they could not comprehend 
it, until the event explained how the gentiles 
should be fellow-heirs of the same body, and par- 
takers of the promise in Christ, when the bounds 
of the church did not exceed Judea, and the whole 
world besides lay buried in dark paganism. The 
most pleasant places of Africa, Asia, and Europe, 
where afterwards many famous churches flourish- 
ed, were within these 1800 years but a savage 
wilderness. Britain, Germany, and France, then 
worshipped the sun and stars, and sacrificed to the 
gods of the heathens ; yea, the eastern parts, on 
which the sun first rose, did not then know the 
God of Israel. (2.) This prophecy was not held 
forth in a general way, but the time was foretold 
when it should have its accomplishment, even the 
appearing of the Messiah. Before which time, a 
bar was drawn in the way of the nations, and a 
wall of partition between them and the church, 
until he appeared who should hold forth an ensign 
to the people and gather the gentiles under his 
standard, Isa. xi. 10; xxxiv. 1 ; Ix. 1, &c. Then 
the mountains were to flow down at his presence, 
nations to be born at once, yea, the light break 
forth to the east and the west; then should the 
children of the desolate be more than of the mar- 
ried wife, when this time, even the set time for the 
gentiles, was once come. And it is most observa- 
ble, that notwithstanding the more flourishing con- 
dition of the Jewish church in former ages, and 
the neighbourhood and commerce which the na- 
tions about had with that people, yet, though they 
were scattered by the captivity among the Persians 
and Babylonians, there was no such change in the 
world until the appointed time came. (3.) The 
Lord then visited the gentiles with the knowledge 



248 THE FULFILLING 

of his truth, which caused such a change in the 
earth, that a great part of it has been brought from 
heathenish idolatry to worship the God of Israel ; 
and those who were once aliens, are now made to 
profess the faith of the ancient Jewish church. 
For not only an innumerable company out of all 
nations and languages, but the generality, the very 
complex body of kingdoms and nations, can bear 
witness thereto ; yea, there are but few parts of 
the world where there has not been some appear- 
ance of a church, though the promise has not yet 
had its full accomplishment. However, the Lord 
has in a great part fulfilled his promise, so that 
the church may with astonishment cry out, who 
hath begotten all these children ; who are these 
that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows? 
O blessed day, in which the light first broke out 
on the poor offspring of Japhet, who then dwelt in 
the shadow and region of death ! O blessed day 
that brought salvation with it to the gentiles, when 
the Lord visited these dark places of the earth, 
which were full of the habitations of cruelty ! 
(4.) Not only the time, but the very places of the 
earth, are particularized by Isaiah and other pro- 
phets. For the isles, so frequently mentioned as 
waiting for his law, and the mention of the utter- 
most parts of the earth, whence he would bring 
the daughter of his dispersed, may refer to what 
the Lord has done to Britain and Ireland, with 
other remote parts of the earth. (5.) This change 
which was wrought upon the earth by the call of 
the gentiles, was so great and astonishing, that 
were it still in the promise, and not yet fulfilled, it 
would stagger our faith how it should ever come 
to pass ; for it could not be effected without an ex- 
traordinary power, if we consider, [1.] The swift 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 249 

progress which the gospel had then ; how it ran 
through the furthest parts of the earth, and like 
lightning broke forth from one place to another, so 
that, in the Apostles' time, the Scripture shows 
that most of the conspicuous provinces of Asia had 
received the gospel ; Parthia, Media, Armenia, 
Phrygia, Cappadocia, Pontus, and Pamphyha, 
with much of Egypt, and different parts of Africa; 
besides Rome, Spain, and other places of Europe, 
were in Tertullian's time almost wholly Christian. 
It is indeed clear that the bounds of the church 
were then of a large extent. [2.] In that solemn 
day of the gospel's spread amongst the nations, 
suffering and persecution all the time attended the 
church ; yea, in such a measure, that neither 
famine, pestilence, nor the sword, destroyed so 
many of the world, as the persecution of the 
church. The swift spreading of the church was 
most discernible in times of hottest persecution, 
for upon her beginning to flourish with external 
peace, conversion was at a visible stand. [3.] If 
we consider the many different languages that 
then prevented correspondence between the church 
and the rest of the earth, how could the truth 
spread among the nations; yea, in such remote 
places of the world, churches be planted by the 
Apostles, and have the Scripture translated and 
made legible to them, without that extraordinary 
gift of tongues, given for that end from the Lord ? 
[4.] In a short time the gospel enlightened and 
put a lustre on the most rude and savage places of 
the earth, where humanity had scarce been, and 
brought them from the condition of beasts to men, 
tamed and civilized the greatest barbarians, and 
caused the lion to lie down with the lamb ; yea, 
these were the results of that gospel, and of that 



250 THE FULFILLING 

crucified Christ, to the Jews a stumhling-block, 
and to the Greeks foolishness. The nations were 
thus led from their old way, and from the religion 
in which they and their fathers had been so long 
rooted, and a little spark which broke out in Ju- 
dea, brought down the idols of the nations, and 
burned -up their temples. 

Alas ! that there is so little of that primitive 
zeal and fervour this day among Christians for the 
enlargement of the church ! O that in those 
parts where the truth is known and professed, the 
Lord would raise up men of such a spirit, who 
would make it their work, and lay down solid 
grounds how to advance the kingdom of Christ in 
the dark places of the earth, and who would reckon 
their interest in a foreign plantation upon the ac- 
count of the gospel, no less than on the account of 
trade ! 

9. The destruction of Jerusalem, and ceasing of 
the Jewish daily sacrifice with the rejection of that 
people, Dan. xii. 11 ; Matt. xxiv. 2, has many 
ages past been fulfilled. (1.) This is a truth 
which needs no other witness than the scattered 
remnant, and desolate ruins of that once flourish- 
ing nation of the Jews, whose present state is so 
great a monument of Divine judgment, so clear a 
witness to the Scripture, that I think men cannot 
look thereon, without the conviction of the finger 
of God. (2.) What has befallen this people may 
be an astonishment to the world in all ages ; a 
stroke that has put them in a more sad condition 
than any nation we ever yet heard of; that cast 
them out of their own land, scattered them as 
vagabonds through the earth, so that for many 
ages they have had no sceptre nor lawgiver, no 
part of the earth they can call their own, no privi- 



OP THE SCKIPTURE. 251 

lege or liberties, but a naked permission to keep 
their lives and estates during the pleasure of those 
under whom they get shelter; a people put by 
themselves, with a visible mark of Divine wrath 
upon them, like a beacon set up for all the nations 
to look on, though once eminently owned of the 
Lord, who was known in their palaces for a re- 
fuge. Surely Ammianus Marcellinus, a heathen 
writer, intended no testimony to the Christian 
cause, in relating that the Jews, by Julian's per- 
mission, attempted to build the temple again, but 
a fire breaking up from the foundation thereof, de- 
stroyed many of the workmen, and forced them 
with much terror to desist ! (3.) It must be some 
dreadful provocation beyond the sin of their fore- 
fathers, at which so unusual a stroke points. Not- 
withstanding their frequent idolatry, and their of- 
fering up their children to Moloch, and setting up 
altars in the groves, rejecting the message of the 
prophets, and thrusting some of them in a dun- 
geon, yet they were only punished with seventy 
years' captivity, and were afterwards by God's 
very immediate hand brought back again, they 
who had taken them captive concurring with them 
to rebuild the temple. But now how long and 
dark has their night been ; and though they cannot 
for these many ages charge themselves with idola- 
try, yet no Saviour or deliverer has been raised 
up, no prophet sent forth, no sign or appearance 
of relief for these 1600 years ;^ yea, amidst the 
frequent changes and revolutions in the world, 
there has been no change in their condition ! Sure 
if that people were on speaking terms with their 
consciences, this might put them to a strange de- 

* Now eighteen hundred years. — ^Ed. 



252 THE FULFILLING 

mur to know, what but the killing of the Messiah 
can have caused so long, so sore, such an unusual 
and unheard of stroke ! (4.) It is also a singular 
providence of God that they, who of all the world 
are most violent enemies to the Christian truth, 
are also a most convincing witness to the same, 
whilst, [1.] they clearly attest the Scripture, the 
Divine authority of Moses, and of the prophets, 
the true copies whereof they most tenderly pre- 
serve ; yea, durst never offer in the least to vitiate, 
but have transmitted them still from one age to 
another: to which records, the Christian church 
can with much confidence appeal and demonstrate 
from the Old Testament the undoubted truth of 
the New. The Scripture is therefore no impos- 
ture of Christians, being witnessed even by the 
greatest adversaries and maligners of the Christian 
religion. [2.] The strange hardness of heart of 
the Jews, who after so long a time cannot see the 
cause of their rejection. Truly, there is nothing 
in their judgment more strange and astonishing, 
than their continued obstinacy against the truth, 
and their being dark in the noonday ; but herein 
the Scripture is fulfilled, so that we may even turn 
a poison into an antidote. 

10. That which is so expressly foretold in the 
New Testament; yea, is the great drift of the 
prophecies thereof — the coming of antichrist, and 
revealing of the man of sin to the world, 2 Thess. 
ii. — has long since been accomplished ; and the 
corresponding of the event with the prophecy is 
so clear, that this truth is now as obvious, as once 
it was dark to the church. (1.) The Spirit of 
God in the Scripture has been in a more than or- 
dinary way particular to point antichrist forth, by 
such marks that after ages may know him. I con- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 253 

fess, it is not strange the popish party should for- 
bid the ordinary reading of the Scripture, since 
that Hght would soon make their kingdom dark ; 
for, if men would but compare the history of the 
church since the times of the apostles with the 
Scripture, it would be easy to know that antichrist 
is come. And herein does the Lord's tender re- 
spect to his church appear, that he not only, in a 
very solemn manner, forewarns men of this great 
trial, but also makes so clear a discovery of the 
whole fabric, rise, and progress of that party, with 
such particular circumstances and different charac- 
teristics from any other enemy of the church, as 
may render the world most inexcusable, if they 
will needs dash themselves against that rock, 
whereon the Scripture hath set so conspicuous a 
beacon. (2.) It is sure, that the mystery of ini- 
quity began to work even in the times of the apos- 
tles, and that which then for a time withheld his 
coming — the heathen empire of Rome — has long 
since been taken out of the way. Besides, we 
find the church's trial from antichrist should be 
the most sore and lasting trial under the new tes- 
tament, being, after her breathing from heathenish 
persecution, to continue for many ages. The rise 
and fall of this enemy was to be gradual, and 
might be traced to the first times of the church, 
and his close and final ruin near the second com- 
ing of Christ, by the brightness whereof he shall 
be destroyed. (3.) Such a one as the Scripture 
points forth, who most fully answers to all the 
marks given of antichrist, has been revealed to the 
world ; a thing so very manifest, that except men 
will force their consciences, it cannot but be be- 
yond question. Such a one, whose coming should 
be after the working of Satan, with all power, 
22 



254 THE FULFILLING 

signs, and lying wonders ; forbidding to marry, 
and commanding to abstain from meats which God 
had appointed ; who sitteth in the temple of God, 
having a name full of blasphemy, and exalts him- 
self above all that is called God ; who bewitcheth 
the kings and great men of the earth with his en- 
chantments ; yea, may be known even by his 
livery of scarlet and purple; in a word, such a one 
whose traffic and merchandize is not only gold 
and silver, but the souls of men ; who should be 
drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of 
Jesus Christ, under whose reign the church must 
fly to the wilderness and there be latent for a long 
time ; and his seat, the city situated upon seven 
hills, even that great city which rules over the 
kings of the earth. O strange, that men can ac- 
knowledge this for the Scripture of God, and yet 
not see in this portraiture of antichrist the peculiar 
characters of the Pope and the popish hierarchy, 
such as can answer to no other adversary which 
Christ ever had under the new testament, either 
Pagan or Mohammedan ! (4.) No age since an- 
tichrist was revealed altogether wanted some wit- 
nesses, many of whom loved not their lives unto the 
death, that they might seal this truth ; and it may 
be a question, if more of the blood of the saints 
was shed under the heathen, than in after times 
under antichrist. Yea, though we had not such 
express marks to discover him from the word, it 
were easy for men to judge who that is who is so 
directly opposite to Jesus Christ and the great de- 
sign of the gospel, who assumes to himself what 
is alone due to God — to forgive sin, and be wor- 
shipped with religious adoration ; who challenges 
a magisterial power and supremacy over the whole 
church as its head, a style too great for any of the 



OP THE SCRIPTURE. 255 

angels ; who makes void the merit of Christ, and 
lays down a way of life and salvation on the same 
terms that it stood in the covenant of works ; who 
destroys the great intent of the gospel, and, in ef- 
fect, denies Jesus Christ to have come in the flesh ; 
who sets heaven upon sale, and permits none 
to perish and go to hell, but the poor ; who dis- 
penses with the grossest acts of sin, and the ex- 
press commands of the Lawgiver ; makes moral 
prohibitions void by his authority, yea, hallows 
the most horrid acts of uncleanness ; who takes on 
him to change the condition of the dead, and in- 
sure to their friends the happy state of their souls, 
if they will make large offerings on that account. 
(5.) The hardness and blindness of the popish 
party is no less strange than that of the Jews ; 
whilst the one confesses the Old Testament, and 
yet knows not Christ, the other grants the truth 
of the New Testament, and knows not antichrist. 
I profess, in these latter times, I cannot see how 
one can be a knowing papist and not an infidel 
also, for the following truths appear convincing : — 
[1.] There is a full and particular discovery in 
the Scripture of this great adversary, in his rise, 
growth, reign, and fall, by the apostle, 2 Thess. 
ii. 3, 4, and by John in the Apocalypse ; yea, we 
have through the whole revelation most clearly 
discovered what he should be, and what a sore and 
long trial the Christian church was to have under 
his reign. I profess when I read the Scripture, and 
there see so express and clear a forewarning, which 
many ages before we have concerning the coming 
of this adversary, with such peculiar distinguish- 
ing circumstances and marks, as are at this day 
most exactly verified in the event, I am constrain- 
ed to admire the convincing and unanswerable 



256 THE FULFILLING 

witness to the Scripture's divinity, and to think it 
strange how men can wrestle against the truth, 
except by getting a victory over their conscience, 
whilst they own these prophecies of the New 
Testament to be of Divine verity, and yet evi- 
dently distort them against their clear sense and 
meaning ; yea, adventure such a commentary on 
them as manifestly destroys the text. [2.] Can 
you possibly expect antichrist's coming to the 
world now, if he be not already revealed, when 
his forerunners were even in the times of the apos- 
tles preparing his coming? If this adversary 
should this day begin to appear, could you recon- 
cile the contradiction of the present rise of him 
who was beginning to discover himself 1500* 
years ago? For it is so long since the apostle 
showed this mystery of iniquity was working, 2 
Thess. ii. 7 ; clearly pointing at antichrist who 
then was hatching. Can he be yet latent, yet in 
the bud ; has there been no further advance after 
so many ages ; has this mystery yet not wrought 
itself above ground ? O where has he been, that 
such a working thing, so dreadful a spark, could 
keep so many ages under ashes, and no flame nor 
fire be perceived ? For it is sure if he were then at 
work he has not yet ceased. Yea, if you admit the 
Scripture, the rising of the Turkish empire, in the 
order of the trumpets is clearly after the revealing 
of antichrist ; and this horrid scourge is held forth, 
Rev. ix. 20, as a remarkable judgment from the 
Lord on the Christian world (then turned anti- 
christian) for their idolatry, worshipping of ima- 
ges, &c.,- abominations not brought into the 
church till the man of sin was towards his height. 

* Now 1700.— Ed. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 257 

[3.] Is not this manifest, that he who withheld, 
and restrained antichrist's coming, for a time, can- 
not now be standing in the way ? The Scripture 
shows expressly there was a bar to be removed, 
and then was this man of sin to be revealed ; and 
it cannot be doubted that some temporal power 
was meant which then forcibly withstood, as the 
original word >tuTsx^^ imports ; for whilst the 
Roman empire was heathen, antichrist could not 
rule in Rome, or as a monarch have his seat in the 
city with seven hills ; he could not then sit in the 
temple of God, and have the kings of the earth to 
give their power to him. But can any such bar 
be yet standing after so great, yea, such innumera- 
ble changes of the world ? There have been such 
various successions of states and kingdoms, and 
such decays of greatest families, that temporal 
power existing in the days of the apostles cannot 
exist now in the world. [4.] Can any other party 
be found to whom all the marks of antichrist held 
forth in the Scripture do truly agree? O will 
you be so much in earnest with your conscience, 
as to examine what there is in the prophecies con- 
cerning antichrist's coming in the world, which is 
not now verified in the event ? Admit the Scrip- 
ture to judge therein, whether there is any such 
particular distinguishing badge and mark held 
forth in that blessed record for his discovery, 
which does not plainly agree with the Pope and 
his followers. [5.] Is there now, or has there 
been, under the New Testament, another adver- 
sary to the church of Christ, to whom these distin- 
guishing characters of antichrist could agree ; one 
who should be no open adversary, but sit in the 
temple of God under the veil of a friend, with a 
show of great wonders and miracles, and yet under 
22* 



258 THE FULFILLING 

that show exalt himself against God ? I am sure, 
if you would seriously judge, you could not deny 
an assent that such a party, whosoever he be, 
bears that great badge of antichrist, in exalting 
himself against God, who assumes the titles due 
and competent to the glorious God and Mediator 
alone, of being head and chief doctor of the catho- 
lic church, who calls her his spouse, who chal* 
lenges infinite power by those words, '• All power 
is given unto me," &c.. Matt, xxviii. 18, which 
blasphemy that book, entitled "Pontifical Ceremo- 
nies," asserts, (lib. i. fol. 36 ;) who assumes au- 
thority to bind men's conscience by his law, and 
to free their conscience from those laws which are 
Divine and unchangeable ; who appoints Divine 
worship and adoration to creatures by directing 
prayers to them ; subjects the faith of the church 
to the determination of a man, in which, as infalli- 
ble, all must rest. Now, besides these distinguish- 
ing characters which the Scripture so expressly 
gives of antichrist, consider the forbidding of mar- 
riage, and the distinction of meats, which the apos- 
tle holds forth, 1 Tim. iv. 3. You have in Rev. 
xviii. 13, a merchandize with the souls of men 
pointed out ; and can any one be in the dark, who 
they are who have such a peculiar traffic by re- 
deeming souls for money, and making a sale of 
pardons and indulgences of men's souls ? In Rev. 
ix. 20, the worshipping of idols of gold and silver 
is stated as the character of this adversary. This 
is both the doctrine and the practice of the Romish 
church, as one of the most learned among them 
expressly asserts, saying that the images of the 
Trinity are not set up for a show, but for religious 
adoration. [6.] The dominion of antichrist over 
the kings of the earth is foretold, Rev. xvii. 18. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 259 

Now this is convincingly verified, and has been 
for many ages, in the Pope ; and I am sure his fol- 
lowers would be loth to deny a thing in which 
they so much boast. I confess were it not thus 
foretold by the Scripture we could not think it 
credible, that the kings and great men of the earth 
should be in such a measure bewitched, as to en- 
slave themselves and their interest to that party, 
and yield so strange a subjection under their yoke; 
it seems so very irrational, yea, like an infatuation, 
since they cannot but see under what a terror he 
keeps them by his interdicts, by assuming a power 
to loose subjects from any tie to their princes, and 
thus binding and loosing their conscience at plea- 
sure ; what interest he has in their counsels by 
that subtle device of auricular confession ; what in- 
tolerable homage and service he requires from 
princes ; what vast treasure he draws for support 
of his hierarchy from those places where he has 
power; yea, what a visible tendency his actings 
have to promote a worldly interest, and make the 
great men of the earth dependent on him ; how 
easily he can dispense with the greatest breaches 
of the moral law, whilst most cruel and inexorable 
in anything that copes with his power and su- 
premacy ! O how astonishing would this blind 
devotion of the great to the support of such an in- 
terest be, if we had not a clear discovery from the 
Scripture that this is from the Lord, who has put 
it in their heart ! [7.] Is not that a convincing 
witness to the Scripture, and a clear argument for 
the Protestant Reformed church, even that which 
some so much object against her, that her condi- 
tion for so many ages was low and abject, whilst 
the popish interest was resplendent and flourishing; 
for such a long continued suffering of the church 



260 THE FULFILLING 

under antichrist is expressly foretold : the witnesses 
were to be put to prophesy in sackcloth, and the 
woman (which is meant of the church) was to flee 
to the wilderness, and be there hid ; so that you 
cannot say that the church and followers of Christ 
have been lower in the worst and darkest times 
than the world holds them out to be. [8.] Is not 
antichrist pointed out in the Scripture by some 
proper mark, some visible sign, which his followers 
should receive as a distinction from any other 
party? Rev. xiii. 16. Let the world judge if the 
many strange ceremonies and rites of the Romish 
church, their distinguishing signs and badges, 
which they so much own and indispensably require 
as visible characters of their profession, do not ac- 
cord with the Scripture herein, and most clearly 
verify the same in the event. The world knows 
that frequent use, nay, most horrid and idolatrous 
abuse, of the sign of the cross, which not only in 
a special manner they take as a distinctive badge 
of their party from others, by so frequent a cross- 
ing, but ascribe also to it an effective and operative 
power, and as a charm or magical sign, make use 
of it to effect things supernatural, to restrain sin, 
and drive away the devil ; by this they conjure 
spirits, and they wear it in their rings ; yea, it is 
by them adored and worshipped, and made use 
of for the blessing and consecration of all other 
things. 

1 1 . What was prophesied of the killing of the 
witnesses under antichrist. Rev. xi. 3, 7, 8, has 
clearly come to pass; for it is manifest, (1.) That 
during antichrist's reign, even in the darkest times, 
there wanted not some to seal the truth and bear 
witness to it, both by open confession and suffer- 
ing. (2.) During that dark night those who gave 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 261 

a testimony in behalf of truth against the grievous 
encroachments of antichrist, were put to prophesy 
in sackcloth, there being nothing left but to weep 
over the church's ruins, and witness their detesta- 
tion of the growing apostasy. (3.) As the pro- 
phecy points at some more remarkable persecution 
which the church was to meet with from antichrist, 
beyond all it had endured from that adversary in 
former ages ; yea, a special permission from the 
Lord to that party to vent their rage and cruelty 
against the saints after the witnesses had finished 
their testimony, so did the event convincingly 
verify the same ; for, upon the close of antichrist's 
reign, when the truth began to appear, then this 
sorest storm of persecution broke upon the church, 
even in its budding forth. The adversary not only 
put forth the utmost of his power and rage against 
the saints, but seemed, in some measure, to bring 
his cruel designs to pass, which the dreadful mas- 
sacres in France, Provence, and the valleys of 
Piedmont, the sore and violent persecution of the 
church through the Netherlands, under the duke of 
Alva, and in England by queen Mary, in Germany, 
after the defeat of the duke of Saxony and land- 
grave of Hesse, can clearly witness. (4.) This re- 
markable storm was, according to this prophecy, 
to be previous to some eminent reviving of the 
church, which accordingly fell out in the event, 
like a resurrection of the witnesses from the dead, 
to the astonishment of the world ; so that when the 
church's enemies thought they had gained their 
end, and concluded by such persecutions, and par- 
ticularly by the French massacre, that the Protest- 
ant interest was quite ruined, they were forced to 
see their labour in vain, and the church more emi- 
nently flourishing. 



262 THE FULFILLING 

Antichrist has not only been revealed, and his 
kingdom at its height, but it is clear that this day 
it is on the falling hand, and his ruin is now begun. 
We have cause to sing that the " winter is past, 
the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, the singing 
of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard 
in our land," Cant. ii. 11 — 13. 

II. What IS yet to be acconiplislied. 

Having touched a little upon some of the pro- 
phecies of the Scripture already fulfilled, I shall 
now point at the unfulfilled prophecies which con- 
cern the church in these last times, whereby we 
may have a sure demonstration how far the night 
is spent, and of the near approach of the liberty of 
the sons of God ; for this would finish the mystery 
of God, if once that which remains of the prophe- 
cies of the word were fulfilled. 

These events we have a sure warrant to expect, 
1. The full ruin and downfall of Babylon. 2. The 
conversion of the Jews to Jesus Christ. 3. A so- 
lemn day of the church's flourishing, both among 
Jews and gentiles. 4. The destruction of the 
Turkish empire, raised up and established for 
judgment, with which the Lord shall yet reckon 
for all that Christian blood so unjustly shed. Rev. 
xvi. 6. 5. The full and last stroke upon Gog and 
Magog. Then the Lord is at hand, and the great 
mystery of the prophecies of the Scripture shall 
then be finished. 

I. We have the full ruin and destrucfion of anti- 
christ clearly prophesied in 2 Thess. ii, 8 ; Rev. 
xvi. 10, 17. (1.) That this judgment is already 
begun is now clear, for the Lord has begun to con- 
sume antichrist by the breath of his mouth ; and 
since the first dawning of the fight his kingdom 
has been mouldering down before the word. It is 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 263 

true the church wants not sore conflicts under the 
vials ; and it is the Lord's way to try his people 
with such various uncertainties, that when things 
have been most promising, another providence 
comes, like a cross wave, which seems to drive 
them as far back as once they seemed to be for- 
ward ; yet it is sure that antichrist's overthow is 
advancing, and the work of the Lord for his 
church's deliverance is going forward. (2.) This 
is one of the greatest acts of the judgment of God 
on his enemies, one of the most eminent manifesta- 
tions of his glory, wherein the appearance of his 
hand shall be very manifest by this remarkable 
stroke, that a place shall be made for that glorious 
house which Christ is to have for himself in the 
latter days, and which shall be built upon anti- 
christ's ruins. (3.) Though we are to expect the 
Lord's immediate hand in this great work, which 
shall be so convincing that all beholders must with 
fear and astonishment confess that this is God's 
own work ; yet he will therein make use of instru- 
ments fitted and chosen for that end, who shall be 
raised and actuated with a more than ordinary spi- 
rit to execute the vengeance of the Lord, even the 
judgment written. Yea, the kings of the earth, 
and the race and successors of those who, in for- 
mer times had given their power to the beast, shall 
be raised up to hate the whore, and make her de- 
solate. O blessed are they who shall destroy 
that accursed city, built up with the blood of the 
saints and martyrs of Jesus Christ ! (4.) We have 
clear ground to believe that Babylon's ruin maketh 
haste, and the day of the Lord upon her is near, 
and that the instruments of his vengeance are 
making ready. One stroke upon that party is 
already past ; antichrist has begun to fall before the 



264 THE FULFILLING 

word, and must fall further, until that great stroke, 
which shall destroy his seat and lay waste his land, 
be accomplished. [1.] The many prayers which 
are now before the throne, and which cannot fail 
of success, wait for this solemn manifestation of 
the judgment of God ; and the blood of the saints 
does not cease to cry, yea, it has as loud a cry as 
ever. [2.] The preached gospel ripens, and helps 
to make the harvest more white ; and truly if we 
consider how long the word has been calling on 
that party to come out of Babylon, and that for 
these 150* years they have been acting in oppo- 
sition to so clear a light, to such a solemn call, to 
so many warnings, yea, to such convincing dis- 
covery of the Lord's being against them in very 
remarkable providences, it shows at what a height 
their sin is. [3.] That judgment which was to 
be poured forth on antichrist under the vials, is in 
a great measure now verified. [4.] The Lord's 
work is now hastening ,* Providence is swift, and 
makes great advance ; he will cut short his work in 
righteousness, for a short work will the Lord make 
in the earth, Rom. ix. 28. [5.] Antichrist and 
his followers in this day seem to be at an advan- 
tage, the Lord's work being as it were at a stand, 
yea, rather going back. The late visible growth 
of popery in Britain and Ireland, and so dark an 
hour upon the Reformed churches abroad, I think 
is a promising evidence of the near approach of a 
further stroke on that party; for it is clear, both 
from the word and God's ordinary way of pro- 
cedure, that a sharp storm is usually previous to 
some remarkable enlargement of the church, a very 

* This book was written in the middle of the seven- 
teenth century. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 265 

low ebb before the turning of the tide ; yea, that 
every step of her advance whereby she has gained 
ground on antichrist, has still had some conflict 
and wrestling going before, and thus the Lord ri- 
pens his people by suffering, for such times of 
mercy : for which time let us pray and wait, when 
the smoke of that acctirsed city shall ascend up to 
heaven, and his people be made to triumph, and 
sing that song, "Alleluia; salvation, and glory, 
and honour, unto the Lord our God, who hath 
judged the great whore ; and hath avenged the 
blood of his servants at her hand," Rev. xix. 1, 2. 
2. We have a clear prophecy of the calling in 
of the Jews, and their conversion to Christ in the 
latter days, Isa. xi. 15; Rom. xi. 24; Rev. xvi. 
12. (1.) This promise does not concern particu- 
lar persons, but the body and generality of that 
people, is clear from the Scripture, Isa. xi. 11 ; 
Zech. xii. 10; Rom. xi. 25; where it is undeni- 
able that their gathering must be as full and re- 
markable as their scattering ; and as there is no 
nation so remote whither some of them are not at 
this day, so the Lord shall assemble the dispersed 
and outcasts, and bring them back from the four 
corners of the earth. The apostle expressly shows 
that it is all Israel to whom this promise points, for 
though they are enemies concerning the gospel, 
yet are they beloved for the fathers' sakes, because 
of the covenant which was made with Abraham 
and his seed ; and truly we have ground also to 
expect something further than their conversion, 
even some temporal restitution and re-collection of 
them as a nation. See Amos ix. 11— -15. (2.) 
This promise must follow the rejection of that 
people, and must not take place until the fulness of 
the gentiles be brought in. The apostle held this 
23 



266 THE FULFILLING 

forth as a mystery, which the ancient Jewish 
church could not well comprehend when it was 
pointed at by the prophets, and even at that time 
was not understood, which surely could have been 
no mystery if their conversion had reached no fur- 
ther than the apostle's time ; and it is known how 
small a number of that people has since been 
brought in to Christ. (3.) This great day shall be 
a very remarkable and solemn time, which will 
cause astonishment to the nations, and make a 
wonderful change on the face of the earth ; a time 
of God's eminent appearance for that people, when 
his singular respect shall be as manifest as former- 
ly was his great displeasure and anger. There 
shall be a large pouring forth of the Spirit, even on 
the body of that people and all ranks ; yea, the 
converted of Israel shall then see how far the 
glory of the second temple exceeds that of the first; 
and the Jewish church shall be a very conspicu- 
ous part of Christ's universal kingdom ; eminent 
for the power and purity of the ordinances, to 
which others shall look as to an excellent pattern 
of a purely reformed and glorious church. (4.) 
Consider how this people are still kept by them- 
selves amidst all their scatterings, not mixed or 
incorporated with other nations. Great multitudes 
of them are in the eastern parts ; 3^ea, through 
most of Asia, Africa, and in those places of Europe 
where the Christian church is ; while their land is 
possessed by a rabble of Turks, under whose yoke 
they groan; and though the genealogies of parti- 
cular families are lost at this day, yet there is still 
so much sure as to the genealogy of the nation, as 
distinguishes them from any other people. (5.) 
The authority of the word should silence all our 
thoughts how so great a thing shall be brought 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 267 

about ; yet we may judge that the fatal stroke upon 
antichrist will be one means to that conversion, as 
removing the stumbling-block of idolatry which has 
so long hardened them against the profession of the 
gospel. Alas, that the usual deportment of Chris- 
tians with whom the Jews converse should often 
heighten their prejudice against Christianity! 

3. There are many prophecies which clearly 
point at a great flourishing and prosperity in the days 
of the gospel, Isa. Ixv. 25 ; Ixvi. 12 ; Mic. iv. 1, 2. 

I confess the event will be the surest commen- 
tary, and until this appear men should be cautious 
that they darken not the counsel of God with any 
wild fancy, and not aim to be wise above that 
which is written ; yet I think that there are great 
things laid up in these promivses for the church that 
we cannot now well reach, until the appointed time 
unveils their meaning. (1.) These promises of 
the enlargement of the church, point to some par- 
ticular features of the church's condition common 
to other times. (2.) This flourishing condition 
concerns both Jews and gentiles; and the word 
clearly points to some further increase of the gen- 
tile church by the calling of the Jews, and has a 
peculiar respect to that solemn time of Israel's re- 
storation and antichrist's ruin ; so that, as Isaiah 
and other prophets refer this great flourishing of 
the church to the days of the gospel, the apostle, 
Rom. xi., points to a more precise time, wherein 
this in a larger measure shall be fulfilled. (3.) The 
Christian church never enjoyed so great an en- 
largement as these promises import, for persecu- 
tion and suffering have mostly been her lot ; first 
from the Jews, next from her heathen adversa- 
lies, and lastly from antichrist. (4.) The full ac- 
complishment of this promise must answer to that 



268 THE FULFILLING 

remarkable day of Satan's binding, and the saints' 
reign with Christ, when the kingdoms of the earth 
shall become the Lord's ; which we find imme- 
diately precedes Satan's last loosing, and his going 
forth to gather his broken forces to that great bat- 
tle, which is to be very near the end. 

We may judge that the Lord will usher in that 
glorious and everlasting state of the church by some 
preparative degrees ; the latter times are therefore 
to be reckoned the more blessed, the nearer they 
approach to the dawning of glory. 

Now, in this place, I shall point out some things 
which, with a safe warrant, we may expect in the 
accomphshment of these promises. It is very clear 
they hold forth a great enlargement to the univer- 
sal church, both of Jews and Gentiles. Particular 
churches may be in a sad and withering condition, 
whilst other parts flourish ; but these promises 
seem to point to a day which will concern the 
saints in all corners of the earth. Some bright 
sunshine of the gospel is held forth, some remark- 
able spring tide of the Spirit, which shall be as 
discernible as the church's low ebb was formerly ; 
a day of the great power of God, in which his 
presence shall be manifest among his people be- 
yond former times, so that the name of that place 
shall be called Jehovah-shammah — The Lord is 
there, Ezek. xlviii. 35. Yea, in that day Christ's 
visible kingdom shall more eminently flourish, and 
there shall be a flowing in of the nations with much 
fervour, accompanied by purer ordinances, a more 
universal oneness amongst the worshippers of God, 
a discernible lustre of holiness, Christ's goings full 
of majesty, and the shout of a king among his 
people. Though we see no sure ground to expect 
a lime wherein the church militant shall not have 



or THE SCRIPTURE. 269 

trouble and persecution from the world, yet there 
are clearly intimated a great calm, and a more fa- 
vourable gale of outward prosperity ; yea, this in 
some longer continuance than in former ages; a 
day wherein the haters of the Lord shall be made 
to feign subjection, with much of the countenance 
and concurrence of magistrates and of the civil au- 
thority in behalf of the church ; yea, a time of 
much holy fear amongst the people of God, and 
of much terror and awe upon his enemies, to which 
the great works of the Lord shall then effectually 
contribute. 

4. There is a special prediction of Satan's re- 
straint, and of some remarkable reign of the church 
with Jesus Christ, Rev. xx. 2. This seems one 
of the most abstruse prophecies of the Scripture, on 
which there have been many strange thoughts and 
glosses. I shall only offer some things to be con- 
sidered, which seem most clear and obvious. (1.) 
This solemn time of the saints' reign with Christ 
concerns the militant condition of the church, and 
must be expected on the earth, not in heaven ; for 
we find immediately after it there is a very sore 
assault of the devil mentioned as a new trial to the 
church. (2.) Since the Scripture is the best in- 
terpreter of itself, we must understand this rising 
of the saints and martyrs of Jesus Christ to reign 
with him, in a figurative sense — in such a sense 
as that in Rev. xi. 11, to wit, a rising of the wit- 
nesses in the same spirit and power. Compare 
Mai. iv. 5, and Matt. xi. 14, concerning John's 
coming in the spirit of Elijah. (3.) The greatest 
enlargement of the church under the new testament 
until the second coming of Christ, is held forth in 
the reign of the saints ; so that it manifestly points 
at a more sweet, refreshing interval, remarkable 
23* 



270 THE FTLFILLING 

both in measure and duration beyond all she for- 
merly had, and shows that there is no other such 
happy time for the church, till she be triumphant 
in heaven ; therefore, it is called the church's reign, 
considered comparatively. (4.) This remarkable 
time cannot be previous to antichrist's coming, nor 
under his advance and growth, since this points 
expressly to those who were beheaded for the wit- 
ness of Christ, and who had not worshipped the 
beast and his image, nor received his mark, who 
should thus be raised to reign with Christ. But 
it very immediately precedes the last assault the 
church shall have, upon Satan's gathering the na- 
tions to that great battle, and so must concern the 
times when the Lord is pouring out his vials upon 
the throne and kingdom of the beast. (5.) This 
great restraint of Satan is no such absolute binding 
as will put the church wholly beyond trouble ; no, 
this belongs to heaven, and is there only to be ex- 
pected ; but the Scripture very evidently shows 
that Satan shall not deceive the nations, nor have 
his wonted power to darken the face of the church 
by any great or universal apostasy during this time ; 
and it is undeniable, that since the church's rising 
from under antichrist, Satan has been thus restrain- 
ed, and by all his violent assaults he has not fully 
withdrawn any one nation which was brought 
under the yoke of the gospel, whatever may be said 
of poor Bohemia, for this once famous church is 
scattered in various other places, where there are 
yet considerable numbers ; yea, it is not altogether 
without hope that the great Avenger of blood will 
yet visit her cruel usage on her persecutors, and 
return yet her captivity. I shall but add, that the 
resurrection mentioned in the prophecy must be 
understood in a spiritual sense, and can be no bodily 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 271 

rising of the saints, since it is so expressly there 
called the first resurrection, to distinguish it from 
the second, and is spoken of in opposition to the 
first death. 

5. Rev. xvi. 12, compared with Rev. vi. 13, 
seems clearly to point at the fall and destruction of 
the Turkish empire ; for this drying up of the river 
of Euphrates must relate to that party which in 
Rev. ix. 13 — 15 is raised up from about that river, 
a part where the Turk has so considerable a por^ 
tion of his dominions. (1.) Such a party was 
foretold by John, in Rev. ix., and a solemn warn- 
ing given to the church ; the time is also restricted 
to the period when antichrist should be at a great 
height ; yea, the portraiture of that adversary is 
most evidently held forth, a cruel, destroying party, 
with breastplates of fire ; their number is there 
said to be that of a very great multitude, which the 
huge armies usually brought by the Turk to the 
field attest. (2.) It is also expressly declared that 
this was in judgment, and for a plague on men for 
antichristian idolatry, which then had so much 
overspread the earth. It was no wonder, when so 
much of the visible church was turned almost bru- 
tish in their religion, and, from the pure worship of 
God was carried after idols of gold and silver, the 
work of men's hands, that so brutish and barbarous 
an adversary should be sent for a scourge : truly, 
as antichrist and the abominations of that party 
have been hitherto the hinderance to success against 
the Turks, so we are not to expect their fall and 
ruin, until the cause be removed. (3.) It is very 
clear that such a party was raised up according to 
the prophecy, yea, at the appointed time thereof, 
who like a mighty deluge overflowed a great part 
of the earth, and with strange prodigious success 



272 THE FULFILUNG 

overran much of Avsia, some parts of Africa, and 
entered Europe to give vi^ork to those kings and 
great men, and be a scourge to them who had given 
their power to uphold the throne of the beast. (4.) 
The Lord will as eminently appear in the fall and 
destruction of this adversary, as in the raising of 
him up ; and by his fall will make way for the ac- 
complishing of his promise concerning the church's 
further increase, and the calling of his ancient peo- 
ple, to be ushered in by the drying up of that great 
Euphrates ; a miracle as great and as strictly relat- 
ing to the Jews, as the division of the sea, and 
making Jordan a dry chaunel for his people to go 
through. 

6. There is yet one great assault which the 
church shall have before the end, and then her war- 
fare will be near finished. Satan for a little must 
be let loose, and the perfect victory which the 
church in the close of time will get over all adver- 
saries, shall be ushered in with a very sharp trial ; 
and once again this ungodly world will show its 
rage, and rally its broken scattered forces with as 
much fury as ever, Rev. xx. 8, and then shall the 
Lord eminently appear, and by one full stroke for 
ever decide that long-continued war between the 
church and her enemies ; a deliverance which as it 
will be the last, so one of the greatest that ever the 
church had ; the Lord thus finishing his work of 
providence by a stately and magnificent close. 
After this we know no more of canonical Scripture 
to be fulfilled, but the coming of the Lord, when 
the poor, tossed, afflicted church shall enter into a 
triumphant state, above all the violence and oppres- 
sion of men. 

O blessed and long looked -for day of Christ's 
return to judgment, when the dust of the saints, that 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 273 

for some thousand years past have been resting in 
hope, shall awake, and this earth and all the glory- 
thereof disappear, like a poor vain show! O bless- 
ed and comfortable time, in which the saints shall 
then fully know what that heaven is, which they 
have so often admired at a distance; behold his face 
in whose presence is fulness of joy. and need no 
further confirmations of the word, when once this 
great promise of the Lord's return is verified !— 
a promise, wherein all the precious truths which 
concerned the church in her journey, as so many 
streams, shall empty themselves in this great deep. 
Then there is no more to do, the work of the gos- 
pel is finished, the redeemed are all brought in, and 
the bride is made ready to go forth to meet him, 
who shall fully satisfy and comfort his people ac- 
cording to the days of their former affliction, and 
be for ever their exceeding great reward. 

THE FIFTH ARGUMENT TO PROVE THE FULFIL- 
MENT OF SCRIPTURE. 

Argument V. That the Scripture not only is 

for the most part already accomplished, but is a 

thing whereof we have sure confirmations, yea, a 

great pledge in our hand from the Lord, that what 

..yet remains shall be certainly fulfilled. 

I shall here point at some grounds whence we 
may be thoroughly confirmed in this belief. 

L The being of the world, yea, the heavens and 
the earth, with the continued course of nature, are 
given from the Lord as a witness to his truth. 
When we look upon the heavens or the earth, we 
may there read a visible seal of the certain perfor- 
mance of the whole Scripture of God : this is clear 
in Jer. xxxiii. 20 ; the covenant with the day and 
the night is there given to the church to confirm 



274 THE FULFILLING 

the covenant between the Lord and his people : 
so also in Jer. xxxi. 35, "Thus saith the Lord, 
who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the or- 
dinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by 
night, if these ordinances depart, then the seed of 
Israel also shall cease from being a nation." It is 
also clear from Psa. Ixxxix. 2 ; " Thy faithfulness 
shalt thou establish in the very heavens." And 
these are given as a special pledge, to confirm the 
faith of his people in the performance of his word. 
The rainbow, also, in Gen. ix. 13, is given as a 
visible sign of the covenant of God, to seal unto 
men the assurance of his word and promise. 

I think it strange, that we do not consider this 
v/orld, and look on the frame thereof, with more 
astonishment ; yea, that we do not think seriously 
whence it is, and how it came to have a being. 
Let us suppose that one were brought forth into the 
light from a dark place, where he had never seen 
it before, and let his eyes wander a little upon the 
heavens and the earth, what a dazzling and amaz- 
ing sight would it be ! But though we look on 
these objects every day, we know not how to read 
or understand what is written therein ; this great 
universe is for the most part as a sealed book. 

There are two things we should consider. 1, 
That these visible heavens and earth are the very 
work of that God, whose word we have in the 
Scripture ; for otherwise there can be no reason- 
ing from them to the truth of his word. 2. The 
pledge contained in them for confirming our faith 
in the Scripture, and of the sure performance of 
all that is to be accomplished. 

1. As to this, it might seem unnecessary so 
much as once to mention it, since it is so little 
questioned ; but it is too clear, that many truths 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 275 

are easily admitted which are not really believed. 
I know the world would find it hard to shun so 
manifest a demonstration, that this universe is the 
work of the great God, when there is in it so 
bright a discovery of infinite power and wisdom ; 
and truly it is strange, how men can admit its 
being, who deny its beginning ; which not only by 
faith we understand, but is most evident from solid 
grounds of reason ; and though men are undone 
with a mere implicit faith and a common assent to 
the greatest fundamental truths, without any solid 
persuasion thereof, yet the greatest atheists cannot 
keep from the discovery of this, except by keep- 
ing at a distance from it. Aristotle, and others of 
the ancients, did not so much deny the fact, as 
doubt of the manner of its commencement. Thence, 
Epicurus, and others of his followers, finding they 
could not solve the phenomena of nature, and shun 
unanswerable absurdities, if they admitted an eter- 
nity of the world, fell on the irrational fancy of the 
fortuitous concourse of atoms ; yea, some believed 
an eternal pre-existence of the first matter ; which 
pitiful notions may show the sad case which men 
are in, who grope after the truth by the twilight of 
nature, and are strangers to the Scripture. But I 
leave this, and shall only touch some most clear 
and satisfying evidences of the beginning and ori- 
ginal of the world. (1.) If you confess there is 
a Deity, you must necessarily admit a creation and 
beginning, since eternity is a thing that is only 
communicable to the first cause, and you cannot 
conceive that the earth could produce itself; for to 
exist and not to exist at the same time is a contra- 
diction. (2.) You cannot deny that there is such 
a thing as a beginning of time, since there is no 
judging of days, years, and ages to be infinite, or 



276 THE FULFILLING 

how one thing in a continued order should go be- 
fore another, without coming to some first and be- 
ginning. (3.) The gradual advance of human 
knowledge in the earth, and the continued improve- 
ment in the arts and sciences, witness very clearly 
a beginning and origmal of the world ; for you 
cannot conceive a perpetual succession of mankind, 
with a constant essay after further knowledge, with 
such a continued progress in experience as an eter- 
nity would produce, and yet the most useful arts 
and sciences, yea, the choicest experiments and 
inventions we have in the world, so late in their 
rise and date ; such as the use of printing, and of 
the mariner's compass by the load-stone, the im- 
provement of minerals in medicine; yea, the very 
motion of the blood in man's body, all which are 
but of late discovery. (4.) The short history 
which we have of the world witnesses its late ori- 
ginal, and that it is not of eternal duration, since 
the most ancient records of time do not exceed 
some thousands of years ; and can it be possibly 
conceived that infinite ages preceding, if such had 
been, should give no account nor leave a remem- 
brance to posterity, when these late ages give so 
much? (5.) The rise and increase of nations, 
and the advance of a great part of men from a 
rude and savage estate into society, under laws and 
government, are facts well known from records. 
(6.) You cannot judge that men have begotten 
each other eternally, without going back at last to 
some first man, who could not beget himself (7.) 
It is manifest what an increase a few men may 
have in an ordinary way, to people a vast country 
even in some ages : now, if you suppose that 
every age in this eternal duration should but add 
to the race of man two or three, it would come at 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 277 

last to this, that the earth could not bear them ; 
since we must thus suppose some infinite increase 
from an infinite continuance of the world, which 
no wars or consuming strokes could in any consi- 
derable degree diminish. (8.) Can you conceive 
that should be eternal which is wholly made up of 
corruptible and perishing things ; for it is evident 
that the things of the world have all their set times 
and seasons, wherein they appear and are quickly 
gone ? 

2. Having premised these few evidences of the 
original of the world, I shall now show how great 
a pledge this is to the faith of the godly, that the 
Scripture must have an accomplishment. (1.) That 
the world now is, is a sure and confirming witness 
to its last close, and of the accomplishment of that 
promise of its dissolution. It is not long since 
there was no earth, nor sun, moon nor stars ; now, 
upon no less security than that word by which it 
was formed, we must believe it shall ere long cease 
to be what now it is, and thus, when we look 
upon the world, and see such a thing before us, we 
ought to read that promise of its after-dissolution 
clearly written thereon. (2.) It is a very clear 
consequence, that God can bring his word to per- 
formance, and his power therein cannot fail, yea, 
that his counsel has no dependence on means or 
instruments. We truly mistake the meaning of the 
heavens, with the marvellous order of the great 
celestial bodies, when we cannot read the faithful- 
ness of God in all his promises written there, for 
they are held forth to men as a confirming pledge 
of the same ; this were indeed an excellent im- 
provement of astronomy. (3.) Since it is unde- 
niable that this earth hangs in empty space, sup- 
ported by a marvellous Divine power, and so 
24 



278 THE FULFILLING 

established that it cannot be moved, there is clear 
ground for adventuring of the church v^ith its 
weight, and every Christian's burden v^hatever it 
may be, on the promise of this God, on whose 
word the great bulk of the earth leans ; no mathe- 
matical demonstration follows by a clearer evidence, 
than this consequence from such premises. (4.) 
We see that the Lord keeps covenant with the day 
and the night, yea, the summer and winter do not 
fail, according to his promise ; and these are a vis- 
ible witness for God, that his truth and covenant 
with his church shall not fail. (5.) The Lord 
clearly witnesses by the strange contrariety 
amongst the elements, and the different qualities 
whereof he serves himself in this great frame and 
component parts of the world, that this promise 
shall not fail ; but it is easy for him to make all 
things work together, were they never so opposite 
and disagreeing among themselves, for the accom- 
plishment of his design. (6.) When we see the 
rage and violence of the great ocean bounded by a 
bank of sand, for which there could be no reason 
given but the faithfulness of God, who by a per- 
petual decree has thus bounded it; is there not 
thence a visible confirmation of his truth that he 
can also restrain the rage of men, and turn it to his 
praise, and for this end serve himself by most im- 
probable means ? It was a notable saying of a 
grave minister of Christ, when he was upon the 
sea in a storm, " Shall I fear the face of a tyrant, 
I who serve Him who can restrain and tame the 
rage of this swelling seal" (7.) If we consi- 
der the earth and its original, and look aright on 
that so often repeated discovery of the seed time 
and harvest, and of the earth bringing forth such 
innumerable kinds of vegetables in the spring after 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 279 

a dead winter, as out of their graves — may we not 
thence have a very clear confirming seal of that 
great truth, of the resurrection, and of the raising 
of the dust of men's bodies buried under the earth ? 
Does not God thus set before our eyes the con- 
tinued course of nature, to assure us that his truth 
shall not fail, though there were no appearance 
how in an ordinary way it could be accomplished ? 
II. The ground whence we may be confirmed 
in our faith is, that not only the most part of the 
Scripture is already verified in the event, but also, 
that those truths which of the whole Scripture are 
most strange and marvellous, yea, which would 
have staggered our faith if they were yet still in 
the promise, are this day accomplished. I shall 
only instance the coming of the Messiah, that God 
should be manifest in the flesh, and a virgin bring 
forth a son whose name should be Emmanuel, one 
that was to die, and be cut oflf out of the land of 
the living, not for himself, but for the transgression 
of his people. This is the most astonishing thing 
that ever was or shall be, and should fully silence 
our thoughts respecting any other Scripture truth ; 
for we know that the great business of redemption 
is closed, the ransom fully paid, the doctrine of the 
gospel sealed and attested by blood, even by the 
blood of the Testator ; the promised Messiah has 
come, and this is he who in the days of Pilate 
suffered at Jerusalem, in whom all things which 
were written by the prophets were truly accom- 
plished. Is not this a great pledge to assure us of 
the fulfilling of every other promise ? It is sure he 
died, his blessed side was pierced with a spear, and 
upon the cross he cried with a loud voice and gave 
up the ghost. Here lies the greatest cause of won- 
der, not what yet remains of the Scripture, but 



280 THE FULFILLING 

that which is already fulfilled ; not that Christ 
should come again to judge the world, but that once 
he came to the world, and became man ; for God 
to be found in the form of a servant, and die, this 
is beyond expression wonderful ! For the other 
must necessarily follow as a consequence, that he 
who has redeemed the church, and paid her ran- 
som, should see the travail of his soul, and be sat- 
isfied ; that having made such a purchase, he should 
also have possession and finish the building, the 
foundation whereof was his own blood. I confess 
what we yet expect are great and astonishing truths, 
even the final overthrow of antichrist, the resurrec- 
tion of the Jewish church, but specially Christ's 
return to judgment. How great soever they are, 
yet how small comparatively are they with that 
which is already accomplished — the incarnation of 
the Son of God ! a mystery hid from ages, whereon 
the angels with wonder look ! This is unspeakably 
greater than to create this world, and turn it again 
to nothing. Is it not this day much more easy to 
believe the Scripture, and the fulfilling thereof, 
than it was for the Jewish church before Christ's 
coming ? And may we not with as much assurance 
wait for the second coming of the Lord, and a full 
perfecting of his word, as for the return of the sun 
after it is o-one down, and for the breakinor of the 
day when once the night is past? 

III. The ground of confirmation is this, that 
Jesus Christ is come to action against the enemies 
of his church ; yea, that he is now gone forth in the 
greatness of his strength, conquering and to con- 
quer. 

It is true, the church is now low, and the work 
of God meets with very sad interruptions, needful 
both for trial and rebuke ; but this also is sure, that 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 281 

the Lord has eminently appeared, and done great 
things for his church ; yea, he has, by a confluence 
of very remarkable providences, thus condescended 
to strengthen his people's hands, to confirm those 
who are ready to stagger on account of the great- 
ness of those things promised. 

For consider, 1. How very consonant it is to 
the Scripture, that in the last times the Lord will 
thus appear in his great strength and set up his 
standard against his adversaries; yea, will then, in 
a special way, call forth his people to glorify him 
by an active testimony. 2. That the Lord has 
thus begun to appear is a truth undeniable, and 
should much help to confirm our faith. 

1. That this is manifest from the word, observe, 
(1.) That though the church militant will ever 
have some persecution from the world, even in her 
best estate ; yet we have a safe warrant to expect 
that the Lord will glorify himself in a peculiar way 
in his people in those latter days, by doing and 
acting for the truth as in former ages. (2.) In the 
last days, when Christ is to raise his church from 
under the power of antichrist, he shall appear in a 
warlike posture, Rev. xix. 13 — 15. He is repre- 
sented as one at the head of his forces, with his 
vesture dipped in blood, to show that when the 
war is begun against his adversary, and this Lion 
of the tribe of Judah begins to rouse himself up, he 
will have a terrible appearance in that undertaking. 
The Lord has declared in his counsel, that his Son, 
Christ, should in the latter times take unto himself 
his great power and reign. Rev. xi. 17 ; yea, God 
will cause the world to know him as Head of prin- 
cipalities and powers, as well as of his church ; 
for his glory as a King, which former ages seemed 
in so great a measure to darken, must then clearly 
24* 



282 THE FULFILLING 

shine forth. (3.) The Scriptures point at the last 
times as that special time of recompense for the 
controversy of Sion, to which the Lord has reserved 
a solemn triumph of his justice, when he shall 
inquire for the blood of his saints shed upon the 
earth since the days of Abel, at Babylon's hand, 
Rev. xviii. 24 ; for that great adversary has made 
herself heir to all the violence and cruelty done in 
former ages, and in her hand must that cup be 
found full, which the enemies of the church from 
the beginning have been filling up. (4.) In the 
last times, when the Lord shall bind up the breach 
of his people, and heal the stroke of their wound, 
who for so long a time have been trampled under 
by antichrist, he shall by some signal providences 
roll away this reproach and scandal of meanness, 
contempt, and persecution, and shall put some 
glory on his church proportionable to her former 
abasement ; yea, comfort her according to the days 
wherein he had afflicted her, and cause his people's 
rising to answer in measure and kind to their low 
and suffering state from antichrist. In the last 
times the Lord shall make them appear with the 
face of a lion ; the feeble shall be as David, and as 
the angel of the Lord, Zech. xii. 8, which promise 
clearly points to the church's rising and delivery 
from antichrist. (5.) The Lord shall gloriously 
appear in bringing his church out of Babylon, and 
in executing his judgment on that adversary, as in 
the day when he brought his people out of Egypt; 
and therefore shall they sing the song of Moses 
and the Lamb, Rev. xv. 3 ; his great power and 
outstretched hand being no less discernible therein, 
than if they had been standing with Israel at the 
Red Sea when they saw their enemies lying dead 
upon the shore. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 283 

2. That the Lord has thus begun to appear to 
the world in these last ages is a thing very easy to 
demonstrate; for, (1.) In these last times he has 
met his enemies upon their high places, and in 
their greatest strength ; by a strong hand he has 
made room for his truth, when both law and force 
withstood the same, and made the marks of his 
wrath, on those who would oppose the spreading 
of his kingdom, as visible as was their rage and 
violence against the church. Yea, since the Lord 
began to lift up a standard for the truth, and call 
forth his people to act, they have lost their ground 
more by underhand treaties, and turning aside to 
carnal politic shifts, than by open force, which the 
French massacre,* with other sad instances, can 
witness. (2.) By what dreadful shakings and al- 
terations of the earth the late glorious Reformation 
of the church from antichristianism has been ush- 
ered in ! Has not the Lord caused the nations to 
shake, and the earth to reel like a drunken man, 
to show men that, though he suffered long in the 
former times of the world's ignorance, he will not 
now bear an opposition to his truth ? (3.) That 
universal deluge of blood, which for a hundred 
years pastf has overflowed Europe, is a witness 
that the Lord has taken pea-ce from men who would 
not embrace the peace of the gospel ; and has given 
his enemies, who had shed the blood of the saints, 
blood to drink in great measure. Germany was 
for twenty years together a field of dead men, and 
France from the days of Henry IL, to the estab- 
lishment of Henry IV. How long were the Low 
Countries made a stage of war, where many a 



* Of Bartholomew's day. 

f In the seventeenth century. 



284 THE FULFILLING 

cruel Spaniard fell under the sword of an avenging 
God ; besides the late bloody wars in Britain and 
Ireland ! 

How wonderfully has the Lord appeared in de- 
livering his church at the greatest extremity, turned 
his enemies' counsels and designs upon themselves, 
brought about the great works of these last times, 
by means so unexpected, that his judgment already 
executed against antichrist has been no less marvel- 
lous than that Jericho's walls should fall at the 
sound of trumpets of rams' horns, or a cake of 
barley bread tumbhng into the host of Midian 
should smite and overthrow it ! 

IV. The ground to confirm the faith of the saints 
in the lull accomphshing of the Scripture is, that 
the prophesied victory which the church shall have 
over antichrist is not only begun, but in a great 
measure advanced. 

We wonder at the greatness of the things pro- 
mised ; but why should we not also wonder at that 
which God hath already done for his church in our 
days? The Scripture shows that antichrist's ruin 
must begin by the word, that this stroke shall be 
gradual, and though that great work of God shall 
meet with much opposition, yet it shall no more go 
back. 

Now, consider, 1. How far the church's victory 
over antichrist is advanced. 2. How the Lord's 
very immediate hand has been most discernible 
therein. 

1. The first I need but name, for we have seen 
kingdoms and nations subject themselves to the 
truth, the kingdom of antichrist grow dark with 
the breaking in of the light, and many of his fol- 
lowers made to gnash their teeth, being scorched 
with the heat and power of the gospel. In how 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 285 

great a measure is that interest now shaken in Bri- 
tain and Ireland, through much of France, Ger- 
many, Sweden, the Low Countries, Poland, Den- 
mark, yea, even in Hungary and Transylvania ! 
That antichristian empire, contrived with such wis- 
dom, underpropped with so great strength, whose 
commands, not long since, were received as ora- 
cles, with an awe and respect only due to God, 
has in a wonderful measure begun to fall before the 
power of the word. An adversary has been over- 
come, whose little finger has been sorer than the 
loins of all who went before, if we consider his 
cruelty over men's bodies, his tyranny over their 
conscience, and the long continuance of that trial ; 
in respect of whom it may be said, Pharaoh was 
an easy taskmaster, Antiochus and the Roman em- 
perors mild; he having for near 1200"^ years carried 
on a desperate and bloody war against the church. 

2. How the Lord's hand and an extraordinary 
providence has been no less discernible in this late 
rising of the church, and her begun victory over 
antichrist, than in the first planting of Christianity 
by the apostles. 

The first witness to this truth is, that wonder- 
ful success which the gospel has had in these last 
times. For, (1.) From what a small spark did so 
great a fire break out, which in a short time put 
Europe in a flame, and made so great a change 
therein — even Luther's appearance against Tetzel 
upon the account of indulgences! (2.) What a 
swift progress did the gospel have ! We may say 
with wonder. Can a nation be born at once ? Yet 
we have seen many nations and cities in one and 
the same age, yea, in less than forty years, brought 

* Reckoning to the end of the seventeenth century. 



286 THE FULFILLING 

into subjection to the truth. (3.) We have seen 
religion propagated by martyrdom no less than in 
the primitive times, and men's efforts to ruin the 
church, helping its growth. What but a Divine 
power could thus bring gold out of iron and clay ; 
bring a flourishing church out of ashes, and turn 
her poison to a preservative? Whilst men were 
burned for the truth, and for reading the Scripture, 
their affection also burned in reading the same ; 
but, alas ! it is sad that now with our liberty there 
is a great decay of devotion. (4.) The wise poli- 
ticians of the world must confess that this late in- 
crease of the church is a thing above their reach, 
contrary to all their rules, and which, in an ordi- 
nary way, could not be brought about. (5.) Instru- 
ments most unlikely for so great a work, if we 
judge as men, such as Luther, Zuinglius, Melanc- 
thon, Bucer, &c., went forth to confront that power 
which then made the earth to tremble ; a means as 
unlikely to succeed, as the sending forth of the fish- 
ermen to convert the nations. (6.) They were 
none of the rabbies of the time, whose repute and 
fame might have purchased easy access for their 
message ; nay, they were loaded with all the re- 
proach which their adversaries could devise, with 
novelty of doctrine, deceit and falsehood in their 
dealing, and represented to the world as monsters. 
Luther was forced to answer a printed relation of 
his death, which asserted that he was carried away 
soul and body by the devil. (7.) The message 
they carried was most opposite to men's carnal 
inclinations, to the principles they had sucked in 
from their infancy, to the religion of their fathers ; 
yea, in a word, had no outward encouragements, 
the whole world seemed to combine against them. 
Luther at his first appearance was excommunicated 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 287 

by the Pope, and proscribed by the Emperor ; and 
good Melancthon was often made to faint when he 
thought on the expected opposition ; so that, with- 
out an extraordinary power, nothing could have 
looked more improbable than their success. 

The second witness is the sharp assaults which 
the church met with from a party no less cruel and 
powerful than any adversary which the church had 
in the primitive times. No ordinary means was 
wanting to crush the gospel in its first budding 
forth ; counsel and force, and the authority of law, 
backed with greatest rage and violence in its exe- 
cution, yea. the power of the princes of the earth, 
were put forth to the utmost to withstand this great 
work of God. (1.) We find a Spanish emperor 
devoted to the popish interest, more powerful than 
any who went before, brought in on Germany with 
the very first breaking out of the light. (2.) The 
rise of the boors and die German Anabaptist party, 
who were so gross, and destructive to civil order, 
looked hke a sad concurrence, and a probable 
means to beget much prejudice against the truth. 
(3.) The sad overthrow of the duke of Saxony 
and the landgrave of Hesse, who were such great 
friends to the church, threatened the very ruin of 
the Protestant interest in Germany, (4.) The 
council of Trent, where the popish party had 
all their politics on foot in a strong combina- 
tion to ruin the church. (5.) The " interim" of 
Germany, a most subtle contrivance to divide, and 
thus break the strength of the Protestants, was 
also a sore assault, a snare to some and a cause of 
persecution to others. (6.) The Spanish Inquisi- 
tion, established through Spain, Italy, and the Low 
Countries, a horrid cruel engine which attempted 
to prevent the smallest glancings of the truth. 



288 THE FULFILLING 

(7.) The French massacre on Bartholomew's day, 
where not only the admiral de Coligni, but most 
of the considerable Protestants through all France, 
were in a few days cut off; this, with the Catho- 
lic league, which quickly followed, was a very 
strong and formidable combination to root out the 
Protestant interest. (8.) The taking away of Ed- 
ward VI. of England, and establishing of a cruel 
persecutor. Queen Mary, looked like a stroke that 
would root out the church, and destroy that famous 
plantation of the gospel in its tender growth. (9.) 
The grievous difference which, at the commence- 
ment of the work of reformation, began between 
Luther and Zuinglius, about Christ's presence in 
the sacrament ; yea, which came to such a height, 
and was followed with so great heat and animosity, 
as seemed calculated to frustrate the work they 
were about. 

The third witness is that wonderful patience and 
resolution of the saints manifested in their greatest 
sufferings in these latter times ; yea, no less mani- 
fested than in the sufferings of the primitive church 
from heathens. Sure no times, even those of 
Nero, Domitian, &c., can show more horrid, more 
strange engines of torment and cruelty, than in 
these last ages the church endured from the popish 
party, whose savage and barbarous usage of the 
poor flock of Christ witnesses a cruelty more than 
human. The number is almost beyond reckoning 
who in France, Germany, Britain, and the Low 
Countries, beside other parts, were slain within 
these 150 years,* for the word of God and the tes- 
timony of his truth. It is also known what a Di- 
vine and invincible courage and resolution appeared 

* This work was written in the seventeenth century. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 289 

in the carriage of the people of God under this sore 
persecution ; how they triumphed over their op- 
pressors, and cheerfully met death in its most ter- 
rible shape ; a thing which the schools of Socrates 
and Plato, with all their rules, could never reach. 
(1.) Something more than nature, a resolution 
above the ordinary rate of men, yea, something 
much above their natural temper and disposition,, 
often appeared in their most extreme sufferings, and 
this without the least shadow of affectation. (2.) 
Many of the most soft and tender disposition, yea, 
many women, in this late antichristian persecution, 
endured the greatest torments, and by suffering tri- 
umphed over the fury and rage of their adversaries. 
(3.) The world has been also witness how serious 
and deliberate the saints were in this ; they made 
suffering their choice, which they could easily 
have shunned at the rate of yielding something 
in the truth ; but rather than do this they chose to 
embrace death, and go to the stake for Christ, 
even when they wanted not most persuading offers 
to turn them aside. That excellent man in queen 
Mary's time, Julius Palmer, had not only life, 
but preferment offered, if he would recant, to 
which his answer was, that he had quitted his 
living in two places for Christ, and now was 
ready to yield his life also on that account. 
William Hunter, whom bishop Bonner urged with 
many offers to recant, told him it must be by Scrip- 
ture, and not persuasions of that kind, for he reck- 
oned all earthly things but dross and dung in 
respect of Christ ; and at the stake, when a pardon 
by the sheriff* was offered upon such a condition, 
he peremptorily rejected it. Antonius Riceto, a 
Venetian, condemned for the truth, had an offer to 
have his life and his patrimony, which was muck 
2b 



290 THE FULFILLINO 

mortgaged with debt, restored, if he would but 
yield a little : his son, with weeping, entreated him 
to accept the offer, but he answered that he was 
resolved to lose both children and estate for Christ. 
(4.) Those who were of great repute in the world, 
and had a large share of outward things to tempt 
them, did in these times most cheerfully part with 
them, and prefer suffering for the truth. We may 
instance those two great witnesses, John Frederick 
of Saxony, and the landgrave of Hesse, who under 
that long imprisonment by Charles V., endured 
many sharp assaults, both by threatenings and of- 
fers, without yielding in the least to the prejudice of 
the truth; yea, on this account the duke of Saxony 
chose to forego his estate and dignity. Annas 
du Burg, counsellor of the parliament at Paris, 
in the presence of Henry II., made an excellent 
speech in parliament for the Protestant party, and 
being imprisoned for it, gave up all his honours 
and interests in the world, and embraced death for 
Christ. The prince of Conde, at the massacre of 
Paris, when the king expressly showed him he 
should die within three days, if he did not re- 
nounce his religion, told him, that his estate and 
life were in his hand, but before he renounced the 
truth he would quit both. Charles de Zeroton, a 
Moravian baron of great interest and authority, in 
the Bohemian persecution quit all his possessions 
for the gospel, notwithstanding many large offers 
and persuasions. The duchess of Suffolk, a lady 
who lived in the fulness of the world, in queen 
Mary's time quit both estate and country for the 
truth, and on that account chose a very hard lot in 
other parts. (5.) Those who had been ready to 
faint with discouragement, yet at death, showed a 
marvellous resolution in the extremity of their suf- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 291 

ferings, a thing which shows God's very immedi- 
ate support. Mr. Glover was cast down, and could 
feel no joy or comfort after much wrestling, but no 
sooner did he come in sight of the stake but his 
soul was filled with the joy and strength of the 
Lord, which forced him to clap his hands and cry 
forth to a friend who knew his former discourage- 
ment, " O Austin, He is come ! He is come I" 
and thus cheerfully he went to death. Thomas 
Hudson, a choice Christian, who suffered in queen 
Mary's time, when at the stake slipped suddenly 
from under the chain, to the astonishment of the 
people, but not from fear of death, but from the 
want of feeling of Christ, which made him full of 
heaviness ; but after his turning aside, and pouring 
out his soul to God, he returned, as one raised from 
death to hfe, crying out, " Now I am strong, and 
do not care what man can do ;" and thus, with 
much joy, he yielded up his spirit. Annas du 
Burg, whom we before mentioned, being through 
fear drawn to recant, had no rest in his spirit until 
he retracted the same, and then cheerfully under- 
went death. With what marvellous resolution did 
that excellent man, Dr. Cranmer, put his right 
hand into the fire, when he came to the stake, and 
suffer it to burn without shrinking, to punish it for 
subscribing a recantation which was the cause of 
so much grief to him ! 

That marvellous joy and resolution which the 
saints in these times in their greatest sufferings 
showed, is well known to the world ; for their suf- 
ferings were not in a corner, and did not come 
short of those of the primitive martyrs. Let us 
hear blessed Bradford at the stake, speaking to his 
fellow-sufferer, " Be of good comfort, for we shall 
have this night a merry supper with the Lord." 



292 THE FULFILLING 

Latimer to Ridley; "We shall this day h'ght such 
a candle in England as I trust shall never be put 
out." Mr. Saunders : " I was in prison until I 
got into prison;" and at the stake he cries, "Wel- 
come the cross of* Christ, welcome everlasting 
life." Doctor Farrer to a gentleman who bemoaned 
his death and the painfulness of it : " If you see 
me once stir in the fire, believe not my doctrine ;" 
and he stood without moving in the midst of the 
flame. John Ardley : " If every hair of my head 
were a man, it should suffer death in the faith I 
now stand in." Elizabeth Folks, embracing the 
stake, cried, " Farewell world, farewell faith and 
hope, and welcome love." The son of Robert 
Aguires, when he suffered, with his father, for the 
truth in the year 1556, at Lisle, in the Low Coun- 
tries, cried out at the stake ; " Behold millions of 
angels about us, and the heaven opened to re- 
ceive us !" and after he had some time fixed his eyes 
on heaven, and when the fire was kindled, he said 
to his father, "Yet a very little, and we shall 
enter into the heavenly mansion." Mr. Tims, an 
English minister, in queen Mary's days, thus 
writes to his friends : " I am going to the bishop's 
coal house, but shall not be long there before I be 
carried up to my brethren, who are gone to heaven 
before me in a fiery chariot ; follow you after me, 
where you shall find me singing merrily at my 
journey's end, Holy, holy, holy. Lord God of 
Sabaoth." Algerius, an Italian martyr, thus writes 
from his prison a little before his death : " Who 
would believe that in this dungeon I should find a 
paradise so pleasant ; m a place of sorrow and death, 
tranquillity and hope of life ; where others weep, I 
rejoice. O how easy and sweet is this yoke !" 
And this he subscribes " from that delectable or* 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 293 

c?iard of the Leoline prison." Guy de Bros says, 
" The ringing of my chain has been sweet music 
in my ears ; all my former discourses were but as 
a blind man's notion of colours, in respect of my 
present feeling. O what a precious comforter is 
a good conscience !" Lord Henry Otto, a Bohe- 
mian, who suffered in the late persecution, said to 
the minister, " I was troubled, but now I feel a 
wonderful refreshment. O now I fear death no 
longer, I shall die with joy." And on the scaffold 
he cried out, " Behold, I see the heavens opened !" 
and thus died with great cheerfulness. I shall but 
add the last words of that holy and great man, Mr. 
Wishart, who thus spake amidst the fire : " This 
flame doth torment my body, but no whit abate my 
spirits." 

^The fourth witness is, the great and remark- 
able judgments of God, which in these last times 
have befallen the adversaries and persecutors of 
the church, most notorious for their opposition to 
the truth. 

This is a subject wherein we should be very se- 
rious and sober, for the judgments of God are a 
great depth, nor can we determine from events, but 
so far as they answer to the word. It may some- 
times happen to wicked men according to the work 
of the righteous ; but, on the other hand, it is a 
sure truth, that God is known by the judgment he 
executes ; and in every age there are some great 
examples of judgment, which, as beacons, are set 
forth for men to observe. And truly these remark- 
able instances of the judgment of God, since he 
began to sound a retreat to his church from Baby- 
lon, are far beyond other preceding ages. I would 
be sparing to repeat what is published by others, 
but I cannot pass in a general manner, whilst there 
25^ 



294 THE FULFILLING 

are so many instances wherein the Lord has made 
himself known ; and I dare with confidence assert 
that there is not any passage or matter of fact set 
down here, without clear and satisfying grounds of 
its certainty. 

I shall first instance in Charles V. whose under- 
takings were followed with success, until he set 
himself to persecute and oppress the church, and 
bathed his sword in the blood of the Protestants, 
from which time his affairs began visibly to de- 
cline ; he was forced to fly before Mauritius, and to 
seek a retreat in the furthest confines of the empire; 
and, broken with melancholy and discontent, like 
another Dioclesian, he finally resigned his empire, 
and turned to a private life. 

Philip II., of Spain, one of the greatest perse- 
cutors of the church in these last ages, whose work 
was to root out the Protestant religion in his do- 
minions, and who to that end set on foot the horrid 
engine of the Inquisition, at last found all his at- 
tempts frustrated ; and after the loss of many mil- 
lions of treasures, of some 10,000 lives by war, 
and of a considerable part of the Netherlands, and 
finally by the breaking of his great armada at sea 
by the English, was at last smitten in his body by 
a strange disease, or rather a complication of dis- 
eases, which his physicians could neither under- 
stand nor cure, his body falling out in grievous 
boils, whence issued such abundance of vermin, 
that bystanders could hardly endure the horrid 
smell thereof; and he who had put so many of the 
saints to cruel torments by the Inquisition, was 
himself tormented for two years together with in- 
expressible pain and anguish. 

Henry II., of France, a most violent enemy to 
the church, when he had sentenced Annas du Burg 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 295 

to death, solemnly used these words, "These eyes 
of mine shall see thee burnt ;" but a little before 
the appointed time of the execution, running in the 
lists with a spear against count Montgomery, he 
was pierced through the eye with a wound that in 
a short time sent him to his grave, and frustrated 
his expectation of seeing the death of that martyr. 

Henry III., who, whilst duke of Anjou, as- 
sisted at the horrid council of St. Cloud, near 
Paris, where the massacre was determined, was 
some years after stabbed to death by a Jacobin 
friar in that very chamber ; a thing which Du Ser- 
ies twice mentions as a marvellous instance of the 
judgment of God. 

The duke of Guise, the great executioner of that 
massacre, and his brother, the cardinal, a special 
contriver of the same, were not long after killed by 
Henry III., at Blois, with whom they had often 
joined in counsel to root out the Protestants ; and 
by a specious show of friendship, and with solemn 
oaths, were as treacherously circumvented as the 
Admiral and Protestants were at Paris by Charles 
IX.; and these, also, who were his great counsel- 
lors, had blood measured out to them for blood, 
and treachery as they had dealt treacherously with 
the saints. 

The duke of Aumale, who was a joint actor with 
the duke of Guise in that massacre, fell by a shot 
off the walls, at the siege of Rochelle, which not 
only Du Serres, but also Davila, who was a warm 
Papist, particularly relate ; where we may see 
what a bloody end the great contrivers and actors 
of that horrid massacre had. 

Henry IV., a prince of excellent parts and great 
natural accomplishments, was followed with mar- 
vellous success whilst he owned the truth ; yet. 



296 THE FULFILLING 

after many victories, and the breaking of the Ca- 
tholic league, turned a Papist, and abjured the Pro- 
testant religion, but within a httle he was stabbed 
in the mouth by a Jesuit ; on which a Protestant 
gentleman used this freedom with him : " Sir, you 
have denied God and his truth with your mouth, 
and he has given you there a stroke ; take heed 
you deny him not also with your heart, lest the 
next stroke be there ;" which accordingly fell out, 
when he was stabbed by Ravaillac through the 
very heart ; and it was very evident that some time 
before his death he had turned zealous for the 
Popish interest. 

Ferdinand 11. , a great persecutor of the church 
in Germany, after his victory over Frederick and 
the Bohemian states, made it his work to root out 
the Protestant religion there, and turned that coun- 
try to a slaughter-house, not sparing any who would 
not abjure the truth ; but the Avenger of blood 
raised up the Swedes for an adversary, who turned 
Germany and the emperor's countries into a field 
of blood, and broke that great army which for 
many years had given law to Germany ; so that, 
as some historians mention, an army of 24,000 
captains, because all old expert soldiers, was broken 
in the plain fields with a huge slaughter. Yea, vio- 
lence and cruelty were thus measured out to them, 
as they had measured to the poor church of Bo- 
hemia and the Palatinate ,* and Ferdinand was 
broken with breach upon breach, that men might 
see the judgment of God pursuing a cruel per- 
secutor. 

The barbarous Irish, who of late carried on the 
horrid massacre there, sparing no Protestant, what- 
ever was their age or rank, without compassion to 
women or children, were visibly met by the judg- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 297 

ment of the Lord ; their chief leaders, Macguire, 
Machone, and Philomy O'Neale, were taken and 
publicly executed, and others of them consumed 
by the sword ; their spirits so debased, that a few 
English or Scotch soldiers would have chased mul- 
titudes of them. 

Sir James Hamilton, natural brother to the earl 
of Arran, was, in the time of king James V., sup- 
ported by the Popish clergy in his vigilance against 
such as were suspected of favouring the Protestant 
religion; and truly he was most terrible and cruel 
against all he could reach: yea, so violent, that 
some of his near kinsmen were by him brought 
under the lash of his power : but lo ! when at his 
greatest height, whilst he was making it his work 
to crush the gospel in its budding forth, he was 
accused of treason by one of his friends, whom he 
pursued on the account of religion ; and notwith- 
standing the solicitations of the Popish clergy for 
him, he was presently arraigned, beheaded, and 
quartered in the public street of Edinburgh. 

The violent persecutors, cardinal Beaton, and 
his successor, bishop Hamilton, were no less con- 
spicuous instances of the judgments of the Lord in 
that time. Friar Campbell, who bitterly railed on 
that excellent man, Mr. Patrick Hamilton, when 
he was burnt at St. Andrew's, and to whom Mr. 
Hamilton at the stake in great vehemency said, 
" Wicked man, thou knowest the contrary, and 
hast professed the same ; I summon thee to answer 
before the judgment seat of Christ ;" within a few 
days after fell sick, and died in great horror of con- 
science. 

It is known how the judgments of God pursued 
those three great apostates from the truth, OHvares, 
chancellor of France, Latomus, and Francis Spira; 



298 THE FULFILLING 

who after they had quitted their profession, and 
denied the truth, died with great horror of consci- 
ence, telling the bystanders what a hell they found 
within them. Du Serres says, that the chancellor 
of France, through the torment and anguish of his 
mind, caused the very bed to shake under him. 

The ffth witness which holds forth the Lord's 
extraordinary power in the reformation of the 
church from antichristianism, is, that large measure 
of the Spirit which convincingly followed the gos- 
pel and ministry of the word in these last times. 

This is God's own seal, which is not put to a 
falsehood ; thus he bears witness to his work in the 
hearts of his people, and by this also the Lord at- 
tests the doctrine of the church and commission of 
his servants. Yea, at some special seasons, when 
the truth has least encouragement from without, 
when men will not receive its testimony, then has 
this in a more full and large measure been dis- 
cernible. Thus did the Lord eminently confirm the 
Christian religion in the days of the apostles, and 
for some following ages, by so great a down pour- 
ing of the Spirit, by such visible and extraordinary 
effects, as then astonished the world, and forced 
men to confess something above nature. And we 
have also cause to say, that the Lord has borne a 
very solemn testimony to the work of the Refor- 
mation, and the doctrine of the Reformed churches. 
(1.) The marvellous success which the gospel had 
in Germany by the ministry of Luther, Melanc- 
thon, Bucer, Martyr, Musculus, and a few other ex- 
cellent instruments, whom the Lord then sent forth, 
was a day of the Spirit, a day of the gospel's tri- 
umph ; not, indeed, by might or by power, yet 
such as before it the world could not stand. Cities 
and countries mif^ht then be said to be born at 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 299 

once ; the arm of the Lord so revealed, that men 
were either confounded or truly gained thereby. 
That marvellous power and efficacy of the Spirit 
also attended the ministry of Zuinglius and CEco- 
lampadius, in Zurich, and Basle, when so thorough 
a reformation followed to the throwing down of 
images, abolishing of the mass by public authority, 
notwithstanding of its long continuance, and this 
accomplished in a short time. The Spirit and power 
of God very eminently appeared also in these fa- 
mous plantations of the gospel by the ministry of 
Calvin, Farel, and Viret, in Geneva, Lausanne, 
and other adjacent provinces. It is written in the 
life of Viret, that at Lyons, which was a populous 
city, he preached in an open place, where thou- 
sands were converted to the truth ; yea, some who 
came with no purpose to hear, but stepped in, only 
out of curiosity, were so wrought on, and over- 
come with the power of the word, as for that time 
to neglect their other business. (2.) The great 
success which attended the ministry of Mr. Wish- 
art in Scotland, can also witness this truth ; whence 
a marvellous change quickly followed in Angus, 
Lothian, and the western parts: but this being a 
thing so known from the histories of that time, I 
only name it. (3.) Besides these which are known, 
and upon public record, I must here instance a 
very solemn and extraordinary outpouring of the 
Spirit which occurred about the year 1625, in the 
west of Scotland, whilst the persecution of the 
church there was hot. By the profane rabble of 
that time it was called the Stewarton sickness, for 
in that parish it began; but afterwards it spread 
through much of that country, particularly at Ir- 
vine, under the ministry of Mr. Dickson, of which 
it may be said, (which divers ministers and Chris- 



300 THE FULFILLING 

tians yet alive can witness,) that for a considerable 
time few Sabbaths passed without some being evi- 
dently converted, and some convincing proofs of 
the power of God accompanying his word ; yea, 
many were so affected, that through terror and con- 
viction of sin in hearing of the word, they have 
been made to fall down, and were thus carried 
out of the church. These individuals became 
most solid and lively Christians, and some of the 
most gross, who used to mock at religion, being 
induced, upon the fame that went abroad of such 
things, to go to some of those parts where the gos- 
pel was then most hvely, were effectually con- 
vinced and changed. And truly, this great spring- 
tide of the gospel was not of a short time, but for 
some years' continuance ; yea, the power of god- 
liness advanced from one place to another, and put 
a marvellous lustre on those parts of the country, 
the savour whereof brought many from other parts 
of the land to learn the truth. (4.) At the solemn 
communion in Scotland, held on the 20th of June, 
1630, there was so convincing an appearance of 
God, and down-pouring of the Spirit in an extraordi- 
nary way, especially after that sermon on the Mon- 
day 21st of June, that I can assert on sure ground, 
that near five hundred had at that time a discernible 
change wrought on them, most of whom became 
afterwards lively Christians. It was the sowing of a 
seed through Clydesdale, so that most of the emi- 
nent Christians in that country could date either 
their conversion, or some remarkable confirmation 
in their case, from that day ; and truly this was 
the more remarkable, because after much reluc- 
tance, by a special and unexpected providence, a 
certain individual was called to preach that sermon 
on the Monday, which then was not usually prac- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 801 

tised, and the night before was spent in prayer by 
most of the Christians convened together, so that 
the Monday's work might be discerned as a con- 
vincing return of prayer. (5.) That solemn and 
great work of God in the church of Ireland, about 
the year 1628, as many grave and solid Christians 
yet alive can witness, was or^e of the largest ma- 
nifestations of the Spirit that has been since the 
days of the apostles, where the power of God sen- 
sibly accompanied the word to the conversion of 
souls to Christ ; as a judicious old Christian there 
present expressed it, " It was like a dazzling beam 
and ray of God, with such an unusual brightness, 
as even forced bystanders to astonishment." A 
very effectual door was opened, with more than 
ordinary enlargement in preaching the word, whilst 
the people attended with much tenderness of spi- 
rit. This was a convincing seal to the truth and 
ministry of his servants then suffering persecution ; 
yea, a thing which had an awful impression on 
their adversaries. I remember a worthy Chris- 
tian told me, that sometimes in hearing the word, 
such an evidence of the Lord's presence was with 
it, that he has been forced to rise and look through 
the church, and see what the people were doing ; 
thinking, from what he felt on his own spirit, that 
it was a wonder how any could go away without 
some change upon them. It was then sweet and 
easy for Christians to come thirty or forty miles to 
these solemn communions, and there continue from 
the time they came until they returned, without 
wearying or making use of sleep, yea, but little 
either of meat or drink ; and as some of them pro- 
fessed, they did not feel the need of them, but went 
away most fresh and vigorous, their souls being so 
filled with a sense of God. (6.) The period of 
26 



302 THE FULFILLING 

1638 was also remarkable, wherein the Lord let 
forth much of the Spirit on his people, when this 
nation solemnly entered into covenant ; the spirits 
of men were raised and wrought on by the word, 
the ordinances were lively and longed after, for 
then the nation owned the Lord, and was visibly 
owned by him ; much zeal and an enlarged heart 
appeared for the public cause, personal reforma- 
tion was seriously set about, and there was a re- 
markable spirit that attended the actings of his 
people which astonished their adversaries, and 
forced many of them to feign subjection. Alas ! 
how is our night come on, for the Lord has in 
anger covered the face of the daughter of Zion with 
a dark cloud ! (7.) Since the land was engaged 
by covenant to the Lord in these late times, what 
a solemn outletting of the Spirit has been seen ; a 
large harvest with much of the fruit of the gospel 
discernible ; which has been proved in the bring- 
ing thousands to Christ, a part whereof are now 
in glory, and many yet live who are a visible seal 
to this truth ; of whom I am sure some will not 
lose the remembrance of those sweet refreshing 
times which the land for several years enjoyed, 
when a large blessing, with much of the Spirit and 
power of God, was felt accompanying the ordinan- 
ces ; if it were expedient to set down circumstances, 
I could here point at many such remarkable 
times and places which would clearly demonstrate 
this. 

Besides these more public and obvious proofs, 
what a great testimony the experience of the godly 
in these late times could give to this truth ! This 
would indeed make a great volume, but I shall 
name these only. 

Mr. Welsh, and Mr. Forbes, two great witnesses 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 303 

of Christ in this land, when they were prisoners, 
gave this account of their case in a letter to Mr, 
James Melvin and his uncle, then in London, 
which under the said Mr. Melvin's hand is set 
down in a manuscript of his. " Dear brethren, 
we dare say by experience, and our God is witness 
we lie not, that unspeakable is the joy that is in 
a free and full testimony of Christ's royal authority, 
unspeakable is the joy of suffering for his king- 
dom, (for on that truth was their suffering endured.) 
We had never such joy and peace in preaching of 
it, as we have found in suffering for the same ; we 
spake before in knowledge, we now speak by ex- 
perience, that the kingdom of God consists in 
peace and joy." And in another letter, " Our joy 
has greatly abounded since the last day, (which was 
after passing sentence of death on them by assize 
at Linlithgow,) so that we cannot enough wonder 
at the riches of his free grace that should have 
vouchsafed such a gift upon us, to suffer for his 
kingdom, in which there is joy unspeakable and 
glorious ; and we are rather in fear, lest they (to 
wit the sufferings) be not continued, and so we be 
robbed of further consolation, than that they should 
increase. Surely there is great consolation in suf- 
fering for Christ : we do not express unto you 
the joy which our God had caused to abound in 
us." 

The letters of that great servant of Christ, Mr. 
Rutherford, can witness what solemn days of the 
Spirit, and sensible outlettings thereof, he often had 
in his experience, though books can tell but little 
what he really felt and enjoyed. I shall only set 
down some of his last and dying expressions, which 
I had from those who were then present, that may 
show how lovely he also was in death, and how 



304 THE FULFILLINa 

well that corresponded with his former life. " I 
shall shine ; I shall see him as he is, and all the 
fair company with him, and shall have my large 
share. — It is no easy thing to be a Christian ; but 
as for me I have got the victory, and Christ is 
holding forth his arms to embrace me. — I have had 
my fears and faintings as another sinful man, to be 
carried through creditably ; but as sure as ever he 
spake to me in his word, his Spirit witnessed to 
my heart, saying, "Fear not." He has accepted 
my suffering, and the outgate should not be matter 
of prayer, but of praise. — Thy word was found, 
and I did eat it, and it was to me the joy and re- 
joicing of my heart." And a little before his death, 
after some fainting, he said, " Now I feel, I be- 
lieve, I enjoy, I rejoice ;" and turning to Mr. Blair, 
then present, he said, "I feed on manna, I have 
angels' food ; my eyes shall see my Redeemer ; I 
know that he shall stand at the latter day on the 
earth, and I shall be caught up in the clouds to 
meet him in the air. I sleep in Christ, and when 
I awake I shall be satisfied with his likeness. O 
for arms to embrace him !" To one speaking of 
his labours in the ministry he cried out, " I dis- 
claim all, the port I would be in at, is redemption 
and forgiveness of sins through his blood." Thus 
full of the Spirit, yea, as it were overcome with 
sensible enjoyment, he breathed out his soul ; his 
last words being " Glory, glory dwelleth in Em- 
manuel's land." 

The sixth witness is that appearance of an ex- 
traordinary and apostolic spirit on some of the in- 
struments whom the Lord raised up in these last 
times, for the service of the church, and for the 
overthrow of the kingdom of antichrist. 

It is clear that extraordinary gifts have been 



OP THE SCRIPTURE. 305 

given to the church under the New Testament, for 
with the first dawning of the gospel there were both 
apostles and prophets raised up ; it cannot be de- 
nied also that since the canon of the Scripture was 
closed, yea, in these late ages, there have been very 
extraordinary men given to the church. 

What extraordinary instruments, how wonder- 
fully called and qualified, were Luther, Zuinglius, 
Calvin, Wishart, Knox, Melancthon, Beza, Bucer, 
Martyr, Latimer, Ridley, Bradford, &c. ! These 
were burning and shining lights in their time, 
mighty in the Scripture, fervent in spirit, clothed 
with the power and authority of God, before whom 
the world could not stand. But besides these fa- 
mous witnesses, of whose lives we have somethintr 
on public record, I must here record a few late in- 
stances now but little known to the world ; men 
truly extraordinary, eminently serviceable in the 
work of the Lord, yea, of a prophetic and apostolic 
spirit, and who, through grace, not only equalled 
those before mentioned, but also some of those 
great lights of the first age of the church. 

I shall instance Mr. John Welsh, whom the 
Lord called to the ministry at Kircudbright, in 
Galloway, and afterwards in Ayr ; whom Mr. 
Rutherford calls that heavenly, prophetical, and 
apostolic man of God ; and shows that from the 
witnesses of his life he had this account, that of 
every twenty-four hours he gave usually eight to 
prayer, if other necessary and urgent duties did not 
hinder ; yea, that he spent many days and nights 
in fasting and prayer, for the condition of the 
church, and sufferings of the Reformed churches 
abroad. I can also add, from very sure informa- 
tion, that it was his use, even in the coldest winter 
nights, to rise for prayer; and oftentimes his wife, 
26* 



306 THE FULFILLING 

who was an excellent woman, has risen to seek for 
him, when he has been found lying on the ground, 
weeping and wrestling with the Lord, yea, some- 
times he would be much of the night alone in the 
church of Ayr on that account. One time especi- 
ally, his wife finding him overcharged with grief, 
he told her he had that to press him which she had 
not, the souls of 3,000 to answer for, whilst he 
knew not how it was with many of them. And 
at another time when she found him alone, his 
spirit almost overcharged with anguish and grief, 
upon her serious inquiry, he said, that the times 
which were to come on Scotland were heavy and 
sad, though she should not see them, and this in 
consequence of their contempt of the gospel. 

Whilst he was prisoner in the Blacknesse, in a 
letter to a Christian lady he stated, " what large 
joy he had, to suffer for such a truth, that Jesus 
Christ was a King, and had a visible kingdom in 
the world, even his church ; which was as free to 
keep its courts and exercise discipline, by virtue of 
an intrinsic power from Christ, as any kingdom on 
the earth ; for which he was ready to lay down his 
life, yea, would rejoice to be offered up a sacrifice 
for so glorious a truth." 

After his banishment, he, in a very short time, 
acquired the French tongue, with such a facility 
therein, as was thought strange by those who knew 
it. Trochrig, in his commentary on the Ephesi- 
ans, relates, that Welsh being called to preach at 
Saumur, a famous university, before one of the 
most learned auditories in France, preached with 
as much boldness and authority, as though he were 
before the meanest congregation ; whereat Troch- 
rig asked him, whence he had such confidence and 
was so little moved in preaching before strangers, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 307 

to SO grave and judicious an auditory, and in a 
strange tongue; to whom in a humble way, as one 
more dejected than lifted up, he answered, that 
when he considered his standing before the Lord, 
and that he was delivering his message, he could 
not regard either great or small, but all flesh then 
went out of his mind. 

Whilst he was minister at St. Jean d'Angeli, a 
Protestant town in France, where his ministry was 
much blessed with success, the civil wars com- 
menced, when that city was twice besieged ; during 
which time, the town being sore straitened and 
ready to be taken, the enemies having raised a bat- 
tery, and made a great breach in the wall, Mr. 
Welsh, who had much encouraged the people that 
their adversaries should not then prevail, went him- 
self with the cannonier upon the walls, and desired 
he would charge such a piece of cannon, and shoot, 
for God would direct the shot ; and accordingly, to 
the astonishment of lookers on, it dismounted the 
battery, and the Lord so ordered things, that the 
king granted the city favourable terms, and only 
came in with his court without doing any violence. 
The following Sabbath, some of the godly in that 
place fearing Mr. Wejsh's hazard, seriously advised 
him that he would forbear to preach, the court 
being there ; from which he by no entreaty would 
be hindered, but showed them he would adventure 
to preach the word to his people, and trust the 
Lord with what concerned himself, being grieved 
at their fear and despondence. That day he had 
a very great auditory, both of friends and others, 
who came upon the fame of such a man, but in the 
time of sermon, a great man of the court, with 
some of the king's own guard, were sent to bring 
him before the king ; and whilst he was entering 



308 THE FULFILLING 

the church with difficulty, by reason of the multi* 
tude, Mr. Welsh turned himself toward that entry, 
and desired the people to give way to one of the 
great peers of France that was coming in ; but 
after, when he was come near the pulpit to execute 
his commission, by putting force on the servant of 
Christ for his desisting, Mr. Welsh with great au- 
thority spoke to him before all the people, and in 
the name of his master, Jesus Christ, charged him 
not to disturb the worship of God ; wherewith that 
man was so affrighted, that he began to shake ; yea, 
was forced to crouch down, and make no further 
trouble. Upon the close of the sermon, when Mr, 
Welsh with much submission went to the king, 
who was then greatly incensed, and with a threat- 
ening countenance asked, what he was, and how 
he durst preach heresy so near his person, and 
carry himself with such contumacy? he answered, 
with due reverence, " I am sir, the servant and 
minister of Jesus Christ, whose truth I preached 
this day, which if your majesty rightly knew, you 
would have judged it your duty to have come 
yourself, and heard. I this day preached these three 
truths to your people. ' 1. That man is fallen, and 
by nature in a lost condition ; yea, by his own 
power and abilities is not able to help himself from 
that estate. 2. That there is no salvation or deliv- 
erance from wrath by our own merits, but by Jesus 
Christ and his merit alone. 3. I also preached 
this day the just liberties of the kingdom of France; 
that your majesty owes obedience to Christ only, 
who is the Head of the church, and that the Pope, 
as he is an enemy to Christ and his truth, so also 
to the kings of the earth, whom he keeps under 
slavery to his usurped power.' " Whereat the 
king, for a time keeping silence, with great aston- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 309 

ishment turned to some about him, and said, 
" Surely this is a man of God ;" yea, he conversed 
with him afterwards, and dismissed him with great 
respect. The year following the city was again 
besieged, taken, and in part sacked, as Mr. Welsh 
publicly foretold ; at which time the king past a 
solemn order, that none should in the least wrong 
Mr. Welsh, or anything that belonged to him, 
under the highest pains, and afterwards gave him 
a safe-conduct for transporting himself to England, 
where he died. During his sickness he was so 
filled and overcome with the sensible enjoyment of 
God, that he was sometimes overheard in prayer 
to use these words, " Lord, hold thy hand, it is 
enough ; thy servant is a clay vessel, and can hold 
no more." 

Mr. Robert Bruce was called to the ministry in 
a very extraordinary way, having for a long time 
followed the study of the law both in this country 
and in France ; yea, he had some ground to expect 
a place among the lords of the session, his father 
being then a considerable baron ; but a more press- 
ing and irresistible call from God otherwise deter- 
mined. 

Whilst he was in the ministry at Edinburgh he 
shone as a great light through the whole land, the 
power and efficacy of the Spirit most sensibly ac- 
companying the word he preached. He was a 
terror to evil doers ; and the authority of God so 
appeared upon him, and there was such a majesty 
in his countenance, as forced fear and respect from 
the greatest in the land, even those who were most 
avowed haters of godliness ; yea, king James once 
gave him this testimony before many, that Mr. 
Bruce was worthy of the half of his kingdom. 

He was a man that had much inward exercise 



310 THE FULFILLING 

about his own persona] case, and had been often 
assaulted respecting that great foundation of truth, 
the being of a God, which cost him many days' 
and nights' wresthng ; and when he has come up 
to the pulpit, after being some time silent, which 
was his usual way, he would say, " I think it is a 
great matter to believe there is a God ;" telling the 
people that it was a more difficult thing to believe 
than they judged. 

The great success of his ministry at Edinburgh, 
Inverness, and other places whither Providence 
called him, is abundantly known. Whilst he was 
confined to Inverness, that poor dark country was 
marvellously enlightened, many were brought to 
Christ by his ministry, and a seed sown in these 
places which even to this day is not wholly worn 
out. 

He was deeply affected with the worldliness and 
profanity of many ministers then in the church, 
and the unsuitable carriage of others to so great a 
calling, and expressed much fear that the ministry 
of Scotland would prove the greatest persecutor of 
the gospel that it had. If there were a full collec- 
tion of the remarkable passages which have been 
known to others in his life, it would further witness 
what an extraordinary man he was. I shall only 
conclude with the learned Calderwood's testimo- 
ny : " Robert Bruce, a man noble by family and 
virtue, and venerable by a majesty of appearance. 
He won many thousand souls to Christ, and now, 
I may say it boldly, his soul is with his master. 
And truly were it lawful to trust to man at all, I 
would say, let my soul be with thine, O Bruce !" 

Let me also notice concerning that walker with 
God, great master Bruce. Besides that blessed 
frame of spirit which appeared in the whole of his 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 311 

converse, he endeavoured, especially whenever he 
was to appear in public as an ambassador of Jesus 
Christ, to have his spirit deeply impressed with the 
majesty of that God of whom he was to speak, and 
of the high importance it was to the souls of men 
to have the mysteries of salvation unfolded to them, 
not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in 
demonstration of the Spirit and power; without 
which, this preached gospel, though in itself the 
word of life, will never prove the power of God to 
salvation : and therefore, though he was known to 
take much pains in searching the Scripture, that 
he might know the mind of the Spirit of God, by 
comparing spiritual things with spiritual, and in 
preparing apposite matter for the edification of his 
hearers, which he durst not neglect, and wherein 
he durst not be indifferent, knowing he was to 
speak of God, and being afraid of the curse threat- 
ened for doing his work negligently, yet this was 
the least part of his preparation work. The main part 
of his business lay in having his soul wrought up 
to some suitableness of frame for preaching the un- 
searchable riches of Christ, and making manifest 
the mystery of the gospel as he ought, that so his 
Master by his service might see of the travail of his 
soul, and be satisfied. And knowing that the 
success of preaching depended wholly upon the 
presence of God accompanying the dispensing of 
ordinances, his manner was to be much in prayer 
and supplication in private before his public ap- 
pearances, pouring forth his heart before God, and 
wrestling with him not so much for assistance to 
the messenger as the message. One instance 
whereof take as follows. Having to preach on a 
solemn occasion, he was long in coming to the 
congregation, some of the people beginning to be 



312 THE FULFILLING 

weary, and others wondering at his stay, the bells 
being long rung, and the time far spent, the beadle 
was desired to go and see what was the matter ; 
who, coming to his house, and finding his cham- 
ber door shut, and hearing a sound drew near, and 
listening he overheard Mr. Bruce often with much 
seriousness say, " I protest I will not go, except 
thou go with me." Whereupon, the man suppos- 
ing that some person had been with him, withdrew 
without knocking at the door, and being asked at 
his return the cause of his delay, he answered, he 
could not tell, "but I suppose," said he, "there is 
some one with Mr. Bruce, who is unwilling to 
come to church, and he is so pressing and peremp- 
tory to have him come along, that I overheard him 
protest most seriously, he would not go if he went 
not with him." However, a little after, Mr. Bruce 
came accompanied with no man, but he came in 
the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ, 
and his speech and his preacliing were in such evi- 
dence and demonstration of the Spirit, that by the 
shining of his face, and that shower of Divine in- 
fluence wherewith the word spoken was accompa- 
nied, it was easy for the hearer to perceive that he 
had been in the mount with God, and that he had 
indeed brought with him that God whom he had 
met with in private. He preached ordinarily with 
so much life and power, and the word spoken by 
him was accompanied with such a manifest pre- 
sence, that it was evident to the hearers, he was not 
alone at the work, but that in his strivings to urge 
the things which belong to the kingdom of God, 
and to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, 
he laboured, striving according to his working who 
wrought in him mightily. For though he was no 
Boanerges as to his voice, being of a slow and 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 313 

grave delivery, yet he spoke with so much authority 
and v^eio^ht, that some of the most stout-hearted 
of his hearers were ordinarily made to tremble ; 
and by having those doors, which formerly had 
been bolted against Jesus Christ, as by an irresisti- 
ble power broken open, and the secrets of their 
heart made manifest, they went away under con- 
victions, and carried with them undeniable proofs, 
of Christ speaking in him, and that God was with 
him of a truth. 

The other passage which I present thee with, is 
concerning his death. Being aged, and through 
infirmity of body confined to his chamber, where 
he was frequently visited by his friends, and being 
asked by one of them, how matters now stood be- 
tween God and his soul, he, with that sincerity of 
soul, which is the effect of the love of God shed 
abroad in the heart, and that full assurance under 
which such walkers with God, and workers of 
righteousness as he was, are frequently taken oflT 
the stage, made this return ; " When I was a young 
man, I was diligent, and lived by faith in the Son 
of God ; but now I am old, and am not able to do 
so much, yet he condescends to feed me with lumps 
of sense." 

And the morning before the Lord removed him, 
he came to breakfast at his table ; and having, as 
he used, eaten an egg, he said to his daughter, "I 
think I am yet hungry ; you may bring me another 
egg; but instantly falling into a deep meditation, 
and having mused a while, he said, "Hold, daugh- 
ter, hold, my Master calls me;" with these words 
his sight failed him ; whereupon he called for the 
Bible, but finding his sight gone, he said, " Open 
to me the eighth chapter to the Romans, and set my 
finger on these words, ' I am persuaded that neither 
27 



314 THE FULFILLING 

death, nor life, &c,, shall be able to separate us 
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus 
my Lord.' Now," said he, " is my finger upon 
them?" When they told him it was, he said, 
'• Now God be with you my children ; I have 
breakfasted with you, and shall sup with my Lord 
Jesus Christ this night ;" and so gave up the ghost, 
death shutting his eyes that he might see God. 
Thus that valiant champion for the truth, who in 
his appearing to plead for the crown and interest 
of Jesus Christ, knew not what it was to be daunt- 
ed by the face and frowns of the highest and most 
incensed adversaries, was by his Master taken off 
the field as more than a conqueror; and as the re- 
ward of much faithful diligence about the souls of 
others, and much pains and seriousness about 
making his own calling and election sure, had " an 
entrance ministered unto him abundantly into the 
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ." 

The following relation is translated from a letter 
of the famous Rivet, printed since his death in the 
French tongue. James Faber, a most faithful and 
eminent minister of the gospel in Picardy, in the 
persecution of that time, fled for security to the 
queen of Navarre, then in Albert, in Gascony, 
who held him in high esteem. On a certain day 
the queen apprized him, that she purposed to come 
and dine at his house, and for that end invited some 
learned men, in whose conference she took much 
delight. At dinner, Faber became exceedingly 
sad, and now and then fell out in bitter weeping ; 
at which the queen complained, and inquiring the 
cause why he wept, when she had come to be 
merry with him; he said, "Most serene queen, 
how can I be glad, or make others glad, who am 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 315 

as wicked a man as the earth bears ?" "And what," 
says she, ''is that wickedness you have committed, 
who are known from your youth to have lived so 
holy?" He answered, "I am now the age of an 
hundred years, and remember not that I have com- 
mitted what would burthen my conscience, or 
make me afraid to leave the world, except one sin, 
for which I am assured propitiation is possible. 
How can I stand before the throne of God, who, 
having taught others in purity and sincerity the 
holy gospel of the Son of God, many of whom 
having followed my doctrine, have constantly suf- 
fered a thousand torments, and death itself; while 
in the mean time, I, an unconstant teacher, fled ; 
and though I had lived long enough, and should 
not have feared death, but rather desired it, did 
yet withdraw, and thus cowardly transgressed the 
command of my God ?" Whereupon the queen, 
as she was most eloquent, both by reason and 
example showed him this had befallen others of 
the holy servants of God ; and others there also 
added such considerations, that he became more 
cheerful, and said, "There remains nothing but 
that I go from hence to God, and after I have now 
made my testament, I have that impression that I 
must delay no longer, knowing the Lord calls for 
me." He then fixed his eyes on the queen, and 
said, "Madam, I make you my heir, and to your 
preacher, Gerard, I leave my books and my clothes; 
the other things I have I leave to the poor." 
Whereupon the queen smiling, asked, " What 
then, Mr. Faber, shall I have?" "The care," 
said he, " madam, to distribute this to the poor." 
" It is well," said she, " I solemnly profess this 
legacy is more acceptable to me than if the king, 
my brother, had named me his heir." He then 



316 THE FULFILLING 

became more joyful, and said, "I have need of 
some rest, be you merry and joyful, and in the 
mean time adieu." And having spoken this, he 
turned himself over on a bed that was near, where, 
as they judged, he lay sleeping, but he was indeed 
fallen asleep in the Lord, without the least sign of 
a previous indisposition ; and when they were 
about to awake him, they found him to their aston- 
ishment, dead. Such was the end of this person- 
age, indubitably holy, as the queen of Navarre 
herself related it to the elector Frederick II., of 
Palatine, when he was sick at Paris, in his return 
from Spain, from the emperor Charles V., and it 
was communicated by a worthy gentleman, Hu- 
bertus Thomas a counsellor of the said Frederick, 
who was present at this relation of the queen, from 
whom Rivet wrote it. 

I must instance this remarkable providence oc- 
curring to a grave and famous Christian in our 
country, John Stewart, provost of Ayr, who from 
his youth witnessed a respect to godliness. He 
had a considerable estate left him by his father, 
but having so great an impression on his spirit 
of the straitened condition of many good people 
whom he knew, and love to Jesus Christ and his 
truth having got the command over him and all 
his interest, he deliberately called them together 
in Edinburgh, and having spent some time in 
prayer, he took their solemn promise not to re- 
veal, while he lived, what he was about to do. He 
then said, he knew in what straits many of them 
were to hold up the credit of their profession, and 
therefore he had brought a little money to lend 
each of them, yet they should never offer to repay 
it till he required the same. This was not known 
until his death, when some of them felt them- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 317 

selves obliged to make it known. Some time 
after he had bestowed this money, the plague 
having been sore in Ayr, and trade being much 
decayed, he himself fell under some straits, and 
some of the profane in that place began to say 
that religion had made him poor, and that his 
giving much to others, Hke a fool, made him now 
want himself. The credit of the Christian pro- 
fession was always this godly man's darling, which 
made him quit the country at that time ; borrow- 
ing, therefore, a little money, he went over to 
France, that he might the better conceal his strait. 
When he came to Rochelle, the salt and other 
commodities were become exceedingly cheap, be- 
cause there had been no trading for a long time, 
on which he adventured to freight a ship, and to 
load her upon credit ; he himself came over the 
nearest way to England, and thence to Ayr, with 
expectation of the ship's return ; but after long 
waiting, he was informed that his ship was taken 
by the Turks ; which became matter of great 
exercise to him, not because he knew not how to 
be abased, as well as how to abound, but fearing 
lest the mouths of wicked men might so much the 
more on this occasion be opened to reproach his 
profession. For many days he kept his cham- 
ber; at last, a maid, who had heard amongst the 
people that John Stewart's ship was arrived in 
the road, came running, and cried at the door that 
his ship was come. He being at prayer could not 
be moved from his Master's company till he was 
satisfied, and then went forth and saw it was a 
truth. But as a further ground of present exercise 
to him, a worthy Christian, and great intimate of 
his, John Kennedy, who for joy had gone forth in 
a small boat to the ship, by a sudden storm was 
27* 



318 THE FULFILLING 

carried past the ship, and in the judgment of all 
that looked on, he and the boat were swallowed 
up ; yea, the storm so increased that they feared 
the loss of the ship also ; which so deeply affect- 
ed this gracious man, that for three days under 
the weight of such a trial he would be seen by 
none. But at last, having gone forth to visit the 
widow, as then supposed, whilst with that family 
they were mutually grieving, John Kennedy comes 
in, who had not been cast away, but by a strange 
providence, the boat had been driven far away to 
another place of the coast. Stewart vended the 
commodities of the ship, which having paid all 
his debt, returned him twenty thousand marks 
more to himself. Thus the bread cast upon the 
waters, and to appearance lost, after many days 
returned, and that truth was confirmed, that by 
liberal devices the liberal man doth stand. Isa, 
xxxii. 8. In the last sickness of this worthy man, 
w^hen his friends came to see him, he often used 
this word, "Be humble;" and said of himself, "I 
go the way of all flesh, and it may be some of 
you doubt nothing of my well-being ; yea, I tes- 
tify, that except when I slept, or was on business, 
I was not not these ten years without thoughts of 
God, so long as I could be in going from my 
house to the cross ;^ and yet I doubt myself, and 
am in great agony, yea, at the brink of despair." 
But a day or two before he died, he turned his 
face to the wall for two hours, and then Mr. John 
Ferguson came in, a grave and godly minister of 
that place, who asked him what he was doing ; 
upon which he turned himself, with these words, 
" I have been fighting, and working out my salva- 

* The market-place. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 319 

tion with fear and trembling; and now I bless 
God it is perfected, sealed, confirnaed, and all fears 
are gone." 

I shall mention a memorable instance known to 
many in the north of Ireland, of a choice and 
godly gentlewoman. During the rebellion there^ 
she fled with some other persons, and her three 
children, one of them upon the breast, but they 
had not gone far till they were stripped naked by 
the Irish, who contrary to expectation spared their 
lives. Afterwards, going on at the foot of a river 
which runs into Loch Neagh, others met them, 
and would have cast them into the river, but this 
godly woman, not dismayed, asked a little liberty 
to pray, and as she lay naked on the frozen 
ground, she resolved not to go on her own feet to 
such an unjust death ; upon which she was drag- 
ged by the heels along that rugged way to be cast 
in with the rest of her company ; but she then 
turned, and on her knees, said, "You should, I 
am sure, be Christians, and men I see you are: in 
taking away our miserable lives you do us a plea- 
sure ; but know, that as we never wronged you 
nor yours, you must remember to die also your- 
selves, and one day give an account of this cruelty 
to the Judge of heaven and earth." On this, an 
Irish priest, then present, said, " Let us not take 
their lives, but put them on this island in the 
lake." A boat being at the river, all the eight, 
naked and without meat, were put upon that island, 
where, after four day's staying, some of the com- 
pany died from hunger and cold, but not this 
woman nor any of her children ; for she lived by 
faith upon the word of God, and not by bread 
only. A day after, the two boys having crept 
aside, found the hide of a beast, which had been 



820 THE FULFILLING 

killed, at the root of a tree, which the mother and 
they endeavoured to get cast over them whilst 
lying upon the snow. The next day a httle boat 
went by, to which she called, to induce the 
men in it to take her off; but they would not : 
she desired a little bread ; they said they had 
none ; then she begged a coal of fire, for she had 
seen smoke in the boat, which she obtained, and 
thus with some fallen chips she made a little fire, 
and the boys taking a piece of the hide, laid it on 
the coals and began to gnaw the leather; but 
without an extraordinary Divine support what 
could this do? Thus they lived ten days without 
any visible means of help; and that good woman 
professed it was by faith and joy in God that she 
lived : nor had she any food but ice or snow, nor 
drink except water; but she thought God put sub- 
stance into it. She at last got to the side of the 
water, but here she was no nearer to help. She 
could not suffer to see her children die in her 
sight ; and though the two boys were young, and 
so starved that they had no strength, she pressed 
them to go out of her sight, under pretence of 
seeking some fire, though in that desolate country 
she knew they could have no fire. The poor 
children had not gone far when they saw two or 
three great dogs eating a man, who had been kil- 
led ; the children were afraid at the sight of the 
dogs, but one of them came running, and leaped 
upon one of the children without doing him the 
least hurt, but fawned on them both, and would 
run a little before, and then tarry till the children 
came up, and so led them on to a house where 
smoke appeared. It was the house of an Irish- 
man, protected by the English in Antrim, by 
whose means they were marvellously preserved, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 321 

and the mother sent for and succoured by a party 
from Antrim. 

The seventh witness to this truth is, the great 
and marvellous providences by which the Lord has 
witnessed his truth, and confirmed the same, since 
the late rising of the church from antichrist. 

We here understand that these were something 
above the ordinary way of the Lord's working, 
which evidently witnessed his great and imme- 
diate hand. It is true the Lord does not use such 
a solemn testimony but on weighty grounds ; 
when the necessity of the church calls for it, when 
he is about some extraordinary work, or when the 
gospel comes first to a land long overspread with 
darkness, when ordinary means of conviction are 
wanting; or in times of great opposition, when 
the commission of his servants needs some extra- 
ordinary seal ; as in such a time as that of Ahab, 
when the people are made to halt between truth 
and a false way. Thus the Lord confirmed the 
first preaching of the gospel, and spread the Chris- 
tian church through the world. And does it seem 
at all strange, that in these latter days, when he 
was to raise her up from so long a ruin and deso- 
lation of antichristianism, he should thus appear, 
and give some signal demonstration of his power 
in behalf of his people? 

It is not miracles nor any extraordinary provi- 
dence on which men should resolve their faith, 
nor do we here mention them for laying stress 
thereon in believing the truth; no, the Protestant 
doctrine leans on a stronger ground, it can with 
confidence appeal to the Scripture. This, even 
this is the reason of our hope, which we offer to 
all that ask for the same ; and there let the God of 
truth, who has revealed his will, and answers men 



322 THE FULFILLING 

by the written word, be Judge; and we shall de- 
mand no greater advantage at .the hand of our ene- 
mies. We know that miracles cannot authorize 
a lie, nor be a seal to anything repugnant to the 
Scripture. And truly the lying wonders which 
have been so frequent in the world, and which the 
apostle foretells, as an engine that the devil will 
make use of to turn men aside from the truth, be- 
sides other marks of their falsehood, have this one 
most discernible, that they are the support and 
warrant of that which cannot stand alone by the 
word. Hence the popish miracles are made use 
of to confirm tenets, which of all their doctrines 
most directly contradict the Scripture, as the merit 
of works, purgatory, praying for the dead, &c. 
But as we will not boast of such as the authority 
or proof of our doctrine, so we judge it a grave 
and important duty to observe the wondrous works 
of the Lord in our times, that we may tell poste- 
rity some of the great acts of our God for his 
church, in bringing her again from Babel. 

I would desire to be very cautious upon such a 
subject, for I judge it horrid divinity to make a lie 
for God ; it is not the truth, but a false way which 
requires such a help ; and truly in the following 
instances I dare appeal to the Lord, that I have 
not knowingly set down anything false, yea, nothing 
without satisfying grounds of its certainty. 

I shall first mention that solemn testimony of 
Mr. Baynam, in queen Mary's time, who in the 
midst of the fire, whilst his body was all in a 
flame, his arms and legs half burnt, cried out to the 
bystanders, " O papists, ye look after miracles ; 
lo, here is one ! I am now burning in this fire, 
but feel no more pain than if I were in a bed of 
roses." This was the testimony of one upon the 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 323 

borders of eternity, declared before a great multi- 
tude, and attested ^^ Mr. Fox, that holy servant 
of Christ, who in things so extraordinary was most 
cautious, and searched out the truth and certainty 
of what he set down, and by him was pubUshed 
whilst many who might have been present were 
alive. 

Charles IX. of France, author of the cruel mas- 
sacre of St. Bartholomew's, where the blood of 
many thousand Protestants at Paris and other 
parts was shed, a very little after died in the 
strength of his years by an extraordinary effusion 
of blood from all passages of his body; so that as 
Du Serres and other French writers of that time 
show, he was made to wallow in his own blood 
before his death. 

God wonderfully appeared in the raising of the 
late king of Sweden, with that astonishing success 
which attended him in breaking the power of the 
house of Austria, whilst at so great a height, and 
their hands reeking in the blood of the Protestants 
through Bohemia and other places of Germany. 
The Lord's hand might be clearly seen in fitting 
the Swedes for such a service, even in a more 
than ordinary way. 

The breaking of the great Spanish armada^ in 
the year 1588, which had been three years in con- 
triving, convincingly witnessed a Divine hand op- 
posing the same. All the counsels, expense, and 
cruelty, which Philip II., had made use of to bear 
down the gospel in the Netherlands, came to a 
similar end. It is notorious, that after many at- 
tempts, the loss of 100,000,000 in gold, with near 
400,000 lives, the reckoning of all his gain and pur- 
chase was only the loss of a considerable part of 
those countries, and the forwarding the establish- 



324 THE FULFILLING 

ment of the United Provinces. Truly the Lord by 
his great and outstretched hand wonderfully ap- 
peared in raising that commonwealth, so that they 
may date their flourishing in outward interest from 
their owing of the interest of God. Religion 
raised them, and no people this day has more 
cause, and are under greater engagements, to be 
zealous for the truth and defence of the Protestant 
cause. 

The breaking of the formidable league of the 
Catholics in France for rooting out the Protestant 
religion, was very wonderful ; all their counsels 
and designs resolved in their own ruin, so that the 
most ordinary observers could not but see a Divine 
hand counteracting the same. Davila, though an 
adversary, in setting down that history gives a 
large account of this. 

The great deliverance of the town of Leyden 
from the Spaniards should be mentioned with a 
special remark ; for if the enemy had made use of 
cannon in battering the walls, they could not have 
come short of their design. In an extraordinary 
way the winds concurred to raise the waters, in 
order to the town's relief, when they were at the 
utmost extremity, and again to drive the waters 
back when the town was once delivered ; and, 
what was very marvellous, the same night wherein 
the Spaniards were forced to retire, a part of the 
walls fell down, which, if it had fallen out a little 
before, that city had been utterly lost. 

What wonderful providences attended the actings 
of that poor handful of Protestants in the valleys of 
Piedmont. I shall here only touch some passages 
mentioned by Mr. Moreland, in his history, who 
was then near that place, and from sure knowledge 
and information very gravely relates the same ; and 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 325 

truly they are providences so marvellous, that men 
cannot but see the Lord, in an extraordinary way, 
helping that poor people to do exploits beyond any- 
thing that can be mentioned of those great heroes 
whom the world in former years admired. After 
that bloody persecution enacted by order of the 
duke of Savoy, a small number was in a remarka- 
ble way raised up, at first amounting to but seven 
or eight, under the conduct of that worthy gentle- 
man, Joshua Gianavello. This band met three 
hundred soldiers sent to exercise further cruelty in 
that place, and killing many of them, pursued the 
rest for a considerable time. Afterwards, a party 
of five hundred being sent by the marquis of Pia- 
neza, who then commanded the duke of Savoy's 
forces, were opposed by eleven of the Protestants, 
and six others, with slings, and after a short con- 
flict, were forced to flee with considerable slaugh- 
ter, the terror of the Lord upon the one, and a spirit 
of courage and resolution in the other, being very 
manifest. After these things there was another 
party of seven hundred soldiers sent forth to seize 
on all the passages, upon which about seventeen 
masters of families, whose hearts God had in a sig- 
nal manner strengthened to the battle for their poor 
brethren's preservation, resolved to cast themselves 
upon the Lord for the success of their undertak- 
ings ; and with such marvellous boldness faced 
their adversaries, as to put them in amazement, and 
to make them draw off, resolving to take another 
way, but they were pursued by this little handful, 
who killed many without the loss of one man. At 
another time, the Protestants, being three hundred, 
under the conduct of the forementioned captain 
Gianavello, were assaulted by 2,500 of the adver- 
saries ; but the Lord so ordered, that this little party, 
28 



326 THE FULFILLING 

getting the advantage of the place, after some con- 
flict forced them to retire, pursuing them into the 
woods and steep rocks with great slaughter ; and 
thus with a marvellous courage, in a continued fight 
for eight hours together, drove the enemy before 
them. Divers other remarkable passages of this 
kind are mentioned in that history ; and truly it 
might be much cause for wonder, that through the 
Lord's eminent appearance, and his blessing on his 
poor people's endeavours for the interest of religion 
and their own preservation, they disputed the matter 
with such a prosperous success against all the forces 
which the duke of Savoy sent, till their enemies at 
last began to fear what effect it might produce, and, 
therefore, were glad, by a treaty of peace, to get 
the sword out of their hands. 

Vergerius, the pope's nuncio for many years in 
Germany, whilst writing against the truth, was 
converted, became a Protestant, and a zealous 
preacher of the gospel even to his death. 

Carraccioli, an Italian marquis of great place and 
estate in the world, was so taken by the heart in 
hearing Peter Martyr, as not only to quit all his 
hopes of preferment, and a most pleasant and great 
inheritance, but to withstand the most pressing en- 
treaties and insinuations of his friends, the cries of 
his lady and children, and go to a strange place, 
quitting all that he might preserve his conscience 
and enjoy fellowship with the church. 

How marvellous was it that poor Luther, against 
whom so much of the world opposed itself with 
great rage and violence, should yet live to an old 
age, and go to the grave in peace. And truly the 
spirit and appearance of this great and first witness 
to the truth was a convincing evidence that the 
Lord was then about to raise up a people to him- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 327 

self, in whom he would be glorified by an active 
testimony, as well as by suffering. 

Worthy Mr. Forbes whilst banished for the 
truth, sets down under his hand the following pas- 
sage. In the year 1607, being at Rouen, in France, 
and meeting with monsieur Figureus, that ancient 
and famous divine, then pastor of the Reformed 
church in that city, he had from him this following 
relation : — After the close of the council of Trent, 
in the time of Pius V., there was a consultation in 
Italy by the pope and cardinals, for an utter extir- 
pation of the Reformed churches in Europe, and 
to this end every prince of the Romish religion 
had a certain part assigned where this great pro- 
ject should be put in practice : the death of Pius 
hindered an immediate prosecution of this design. 
His successor, Gregory XIII., suffered it to lie 
dead, having no heart that way ; and until the time 
of Clement VIII,, it was not revived ; but then this 
bloody resolution was again ratified by him and 
his cardinals, under their hands and seals ; the only 
difficulty was to find a fit and trusty person, whom 
they should make use of to the princes of the Ro- 
mish religion, for engaging them to s-ubscribe the 
said ordinance, and set about the execution thereof. 
At length, a gentleman of good parts, near in blood 
to the cardinal Baronius, was chosen, which to 
him was a matter of much grief and sorrow, for, 
unknown to them, he was of the Reformed reli- 
gion ; but this grief in his countenance and carriage 
put his friends to strange thoughts, and especially 
as he expressly declared to some, that what to 
them seemed a cause of rejoicing, was to him a 
just occasion of grief; yet at last finding his dan- 
ger, he judged it his wisdom to dissemble, telling 
cardinal Baronius, who pressed him to the office, 



328 THE FULFILLING 

that his unsuitableness to so great an employment 
could not but be ground of trouble and fear. He 
was, however, forced to engage, getting his com- 
missions, the decree of the conclave, with letters 
to the foresaid princes, sealed and subscribed. But, 
however, whilst this poor gentleman was on his 
journey, having found ways to ^ree himself of his 
servants and other company, his spirit was in great 
perplexity between these two grievous temptations, 
either to be an instrument of utter ruin to the truth 
and churches of Christ, or to forsake his country, 
inheritance, and all he had in the world ; upon 
which he resolved to retire by himself out of the 
highway to an obscure village, where for three 
days he gave himself to fasting and prayer for di- 
rection and resolution from the Lord, and after this 
had his heart so strenorthened aorainst the care of 
his worldly estate, that he resolved to forsake all, 
and to reveal this bloody conspiracy to the churches 
of Christ, and cast himself on God's hand for his 
future estate. So he turned his face from Spain, 
and took journey to France, and to Paris, where 
at that time remained the sister of Henry III., a 
religious princess, afterwards duchess of Lorraine, 
to whom the foresaid monsieur Figureus was 
preacher. To him did this godly man make his ad- 
dress, (after divers refusals of admission, upon sus- 
picion,) showing him the whole business, and 
delivered the sealed decree with his letters of com- 
mission for that effect, and likewise showed him, 
astonished at such a wonderful providence of God 
in fostering some of his own children in the midst 
of Babylon, that there were many others in Italy, 
yea, in Rome itself of the Reformed religion, who 
had their secret meetings ; and even Gregory XIII., 
before his advancement to the papacy, was the- 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 329 

roughly clear in his judgment on that point where- 
of he gave him divers evidences. This foresaid 
relation so affected Mr. Forbes, that he showed a 
marvellous desire to see the man who had done so 
worthy and gracious a work for the glory of God 
and good of his church, and by a recommendation 
from monsieur Figureus, he afterwards went on 
purpose to Heidelberg, where this gentleman was 
then retired for his further security, where he saw 
him, and from his own mouth received the assur- 
ance of this former narration to his great satisfac- 
tion. This is both written and subscribed by Mr. 
Forbes' own hand. 

I must here also set down a very singular in- 
stance both of judgment and mercy, which in this 
land, not many years ago, occurred to a gentleman 
whose name was Westraw, a most bloody man, 
and notorious for profanity, but most for this, that 
it was his great pleasure to put differences between 
men, and to engage them in blood. When he had 
thus stirred up a neighbouring gentleman to kill 
another, finding him afterwards in sore trouble of 
mind, he told him that more of that practice would 
be the best cure, for he himself had killed six, and 
that the first time he was much disquieted, but the 
longer he continued, it became the more easy. 
But one day, whilst he was riding to a place where 
two gentlemen had agreed to decide a private quar- 
rel by fighting, his horse stumbled on the side of a 
steep rock, and he fell a great way down, his 
sword falling out before him, yet without any hurt; 
and by such a strange piece of providence the Lord 
so touched his conscience, that he returned home 
with great trouble and remorse, a most kindly 
change following; and for some years after, he 
witnessed much tenderness and repentance j and 
28* 



330 THE FULFILLING 

spent much time alone mourning before his death. 
On the day that he died, having no visible appear- 
ance thereof to those who looked on, he was heard 
in his chamber wrestHng in prayer ; and after long 
continuance, the inmates of the house were forced 
to break open the door, having no answer after long 
knocking. They found him dead in the room, 
upon his knees in a praying posture, and the whole 
blood of his body swimming about him on the 
floor ; a most astonishing instance, declaring to the 
world that though the Lord pardons the iniquity of 
his people, yet some sins he will not pass without 
a visible mark of his anger. 

An observable passage is that also, known to 
many yet alive, of a notorious robber in the south 
parts of this land,* called John of the Score ; who 
for many years having driven that woful trade, one 
day met a poor man travelling with two horses, 
which he, according to his custom, took away ; the 
poor countryman falling down on his knees, earn- 
estly begged, that for Jesus Christ's sake, he would 
give him one again, for he had nothing to maintain 
his poor family but what he could gain by them. 
But it was in vain ; the robber carried them home 
with him, leaving the poor man in that desolate 
condition. But a little after John of the Score be- 
came melancholy, and could get no rest or quiet, not 
knowing the cause ; but, as he professed, the words 
that the poor man had spoken to him, though he 
understood not what he meant when he spake of 
Christ, were lying like a heavy weight upon his 
spirit. When he was sought after for his robberies, 
he desired his sons to shift for themselves, for he 
could not get out of the way, there being a restraint 

* Scotland. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 331 

upon him, and something within him that bound 
him. Thus he staid at his house until he was ap- 
prehended, brought to Edinburgh, and put in pri- 
son ; upon which a godly minister, Mr. Henry 
BIyth, with a Christian gentleman, William Cun- 
ingham, tutor of Bonnytown, who had sometime 
known him, made him a visit, holding forth to him 
his miserable estate and the hazard of his soul ; and 
amongst other words, showing him the necessity 
to flee to Jesus Christ ; when he suddenly cried 
out, " O ! what word is that, for it has been my 
death ? That is the word that has lain upon my 
heart since the poor man spake it to me ; so that I 
had no power from that time to go out of the way ;" 
and being told who Christ was, without whom he 
could not be saved, he cried: " O, will he ever 
look on me, and show mercy, that for his sake 
would not show mercy to that poor man, and give 
him back his horse ?" After further instruction, a 
most real and gracious change appeared upon him; 
he gave most convincing evidences of the reality 
thereof, attained to great assurance before his death, 
and upon the scaffold, in the public streets, where 
he was executed, spoke so wonderfully of the 
Lord's dealing with him, and with such knowledge 
and judgment, as left a conviction on all present, 
and forced them to see a truth and reality in the 
grace of God. 

Another notable instance of grace I shall here 
mention, respecting Patrick Muckel wrath, in the 
west parts of Scotland, whose heart the Lord 
touched in a remarkable way ; and who, after his 
conversion, was so affected with the new world 
wherein he was entered, the discoveries of God 
and of a life to come, that for some months 
together he scarce ever slept, but was still taken 



332 THE , FULFILLING 

up in wondering. His life was very remarkable 
for near converse with God ; and one day, after a 
sharp trial, having his only son suddenly taken 
away by death, he retired alone for several hours, 
and when he came forth looked so cheerfully, that 
when some asked him the reason, and wondered 
at the same in such a time, he told them he had 
got that in his retirement with the Lord, for which 
he would be content to lose a son every day. It 
had been long his burden that he could retain 
hardly anything of what he heard from the word ; 
and bitterly complaining thereof to worthy master 
James English, minister of Daly, his counsel to 
him was, when he heard any truth which be de- 
sired to remember, he should present it to the 
Lord, and desire Him to keep it for him, and give 
it back to him according to his need ; which ac- 
cordingly this blessed man did with much serious- 
ness practise. On his death-bed, he solemnly de- 
clared to his minister, and divers other Christians, 
how wonderfully the Lord had answered him in 
that particular ; for as they knew how much for- 
merly the want of memory had been his burden, 
now the Lord had given him back all the truths 
which he had put in his keeping, so that what 
for many years he had heard, was now most 
clearly brought to his remembrance ; this he wit- 
nessed by repeating many particular truths and 
notes of sermons which he had heard. 

We have truly cause to say even from late ex- 
perience, since this dark night came upon the 
church in these nations, with so sharp a storm of 
persecution, that there have occurred some very 
signal and convincing providences, witnessing the 
Lord's appearance for his people and against their 
enemies : for it is manifest, 



OF THE SCRIPTURE. 333 

1. How eminently the Lord appeared in over- 
conf)ing those who had been the great instruments, 
both in counsel and action, to break the govern- 
ment of the church of Christ in this land, and to 
lay so much of his vineyard waste and desolate ; 
and this in the height of their power and greatness, 
whilst they seemed most firmly rooted. Those 
who made it their great work to oppress the poor 
church, and like a violent tempest carried all be- 
fore them, in a moment, when they could have 
least expected, were made to fall ; yea, in a short 
time they were out of their places and offices, 
who but a little before had turned out so many of 
the faithful ministers of Christ. 

2. It is known with what marvellous resolution 
and cheerfulness the Lord's persecuted people 
have been carried through, being called forth to 
resist unto blood in their adherence to the truth ; 
witnessing to the conviction of even their greatest 
enemies, something above Roman gallantry, yea, 
something above nature, in the staidness and ele- 
vation of their spirits. 

3. It may be truly matter of wonder by what a 
marvellous providence so many suffering and deso- 
late families have been carried through, now for 
these divers years, with such convincing cheerful- 
ness ; yea, the experience of many being made to 
witness that they never less knew a strait, than 
since they were put from the ordinary means of 
their support ; and others who have been more 
sharply tried, could not reckon any such plunging 
strait and difficulty, but they have also found a 
suitable mercy. I am very sure, that amongst 
other advantages of these times, a large register of 
experience and remarkable confirmations of the 
truth of the word and promise which the godly 



334 THE FULFILLING 

have had under this sharp trial, will be sweet mat- 
ter for an after-reckoning, and a greater gain than 
any loss their former sufferings occasioned. We 
have seen that what in an ordinary way seemed 
irrecoverable, and a stroke which a generation could 
not have made up, has been a means to promote 
God's glory. He has made us see how easy it is 
for him to turn the sharpest storm to the great ad- 
vantage of his church ; that he can act in desperate 
cases above the skill both of angels and men, 
though we should be brought yet lower, even to 
the place of dragons. This may uphold the shak- 
ing hearts of his people, and be a solid ground of 
confidence, that Christ's power and faithfulness are 
this day engaged for his church and truth. He 
must increase ; his kingdom is upon the rising hand, 
and shall yet have a more glorious appearance in 
the world, whatever may become of instruments ; 
and since the Lord has solemnly declared war 
against antichrist, and all who will oppose the 
spreading of the gospel in these last times; yea, 
has passed his word to the church for the fall and 
ruin of that adversary — fall he must, though the 
dust of the earth should arise against his cause. 
We have much ground in these times to believe 
that the Lord will yet appear and make himself 
known in the earth, by as great and convincing 
providences, both of judgment and mercy, as in any 
former ages; and thus vindicate his glory, and re- 
fute the atheism of this generation, by an argument, 
which shall force iniquity to stop its mouth. 

Now since this is sure, that the Scripture falleth 
not to the ground, for "God's way is perfect, and 
the word of the Lord is tried;" it is also sure, and 
a conclusion well grounded, that ''He is a buckler 
to all those that trust in him," Psa. xviii. 30. 



OF THE SCRIPTURE, 335 

None need fear to venture his interest through time 
on the word ; yea, if there could be anything greater 
than heaven or eternal salvation, the testimony of 
the God of truth might be sufficient security for the 
same. It is a small matter how this world reels 
and staggers, or what are the changes of outward 
things ; it is enough, that the promises of the word 
shall certainly take place, and the expectation of 
the saints shall not make them ashamed. 

CONCLUSION. 
The demonstration of Divine truth held forth in 
the Scripture, is the greatest discovery that ever 
came to the sons of men ; which with a more ex- 
cellent light and greater lustre enlightens those parts 
of the earth on which it shines, than the sun in its 
noon-day brightness. This is the word of life, 
even the "hidden wisdom of God in a mystery," 
which most of the world do not understand, but flee 
from as their plague and torment. But hereby the 
followers of God know they are of the truth, and 
assure their hearts before him; it should be matter 
of astonishment, if by this means the Scripture 
were not confirmed, to see what rage this light 
causes amongst men ; not against some particular 
truth only, and the uppermost boughs, but by a 
remarkable assault against the very being of truth 
and godliness. Whilst superstition, in times of 
greater ignorance, overclouded and darkened the 
visible church, atheism has taken up its room to 
wear this generation out from under the awe of 
God, and weaken their assent to the truth ; for 
men everywhere make it their work to load his 
way with reproach, and put discredit on his faith- 
fulness, who is the God of truth. As a witness 
thereto is this essay directed. If a subject of so 



336 CONCLUSION. 

great an import suffer no prejudice from such an 
unfit pen, I should desire to look on the favourable 
testimony or the censures of men as at a distance, 
and far below that solid peace of the soul, which 
is alone to be found in the acceptation of God. 
What access it may have to many of this genera- 
tion, who are taking all advantage to strengthen 
their prejudice against the truth, and unsettle others 
therein, I know not: they may pass their judgment 
thereon at the first look, and throw it aside. But, 
as a minister of Jesus Christ who believes in an 
appearing before the Judge, and would desire to be 
found faithful in that day, being pressed in some 
measure with the horrid appearance of the atheism 
and blasphemy of the time, and with that avowed 
indifference now within the visible church in the 
great interests of religion and godliness, I lay this 
witness to the truth at their door ; and shall here 
offer a few thoughts further on this subject, in some 
clear inferences from the great truth of the verifica- 
tion of the Scripture. 

Inference I. is the great advantage a Christian 
has for his establishment. His security is indeed 
greater than his interest, or anything he has to ad- 
venture thereon; and surely, that is not small, since 
the matter is of no less importance, besides his 
concernments through time, than an eternity, a 
heaven, or the hazard of hell for ever. This must 
require a solid and sure foundation ; yea, the fur- 
thest degree of certainty, where the superstructure 
is so great ; for it is not opinion, nor a probable 
conjecture, that can be a suitable basis to bear up 
that weight : but here, to answer such an interest, 
and give thorough quiet and repose to the soul, we 
have the truth and testimony of God, with this 
great witness thereto, that it assuredly takes place, 



CONCLUSION. 337 

and not one syllable falls to the ground without 
performance. 

There are two things which, I am sure, men 
could not think of without amazement, if they made 
it not their choice to keep at a distance. One is, 
that there is such a thing this day in the world as 
the very word of God, that is more sure than an 
audible voice from heaven, to declare his whole 
counsel and hold forth to men the true way to that 
country ; and thus marvellously discovers itself, 
1. To be his word and testimony who speaks from 
heaven, and to come with a solemn appeal to men's 
sense and ikeVmg, 2. Which commends itself 
upon the nearest approach, and is found the more 
invaluable the more it is searched into. 3. That 
though clear and plain in itself, yet by a supernatu- 
ral light and evidence it can only be known, which 
no human sagacity, no reason in its highest eleva- 
tion, without this, can reach ; but rises far above 
the greatest capacity which by nature the most ex- 
cellent spirits of men boast. In a word, when 
once it shines in upon the soul, it discernibly 
stamps the very same image thereon, and begets 
such a marvellous likeness between itself and the 
soul, as proves it to be a living thing. We may 
also consider with astonishment, how great a thing 
i£ is to be a Christian. Suppose there were but 
one or two to be found in the world who were cer- 
tainly known to be partakers of the Divine nature, 
to have a real converse with God ; would not the 
report thereof give men a strange alarm ; yea, put 
them upon an impatient search and inquiry to know 
if this be sure ? Is it a small thing to be the son of 
a king ? But the hope of a Christian rises higher, 
and has another reach. Such a character, within 
a short time, though now in so mean a garb, shall 
29 



338 CONCLUSION, 

assuredly enter into glory ; into the immediate en- 
joyment of God, and of the fulness of joy, among 
the triumphant society of the angels, the prophets, 
and apostles, and all those who are before the 
throne, washed and made white in the blood of the 
Lamb, and thus continue through the ages of eter- 
nity. Yea, in the very instant of the soul's quitting 
the body, he must realize that great change, and 
enter there, where heaven only can make us know 
what heaven is. It is a strange sleep that men are 
in, who in so important a matter are not awakened 
to a further inquiry. It were well if some would 
but allow reason its true use, and whilst they travel 
between the poles, and can adventure to the fur- 
thest parts of the earth, to pursue that which they 
must so shortly forego, consider seriously what a 
greater prize than the gold and treasure of the 
Indies, offers itself to them, at an easier rate, in the 
gospel. I say, the professed atheism of some gives 
not more cause of wonder, than the strange stu- 
pidity of others, and that common and easy way 
men have in giving an assent to Divine truth. 

I must further point at two or three things which, 
seriously considered, seem a strange contradiction 
to reason. 1. How men can find a pillow to rest 
on, who certainly know that their breath for the 
few hours of night is not made sure ; but if by a 
sudden arrest of death it should be stopped, which 
is no strange thing in the world, they know not 
what is next ; but every night they sleep with the 
possibility of being before the next day in an irre- 
coverably lost estate. Yea, is it not wonderful, 
that whilst we see time make such swift dispatch, 
dying men can be in that measure estranged from 
the thoughts of death, though they hear its sound 
by the bell tolling for others ; yea, by previous 



CONCLUSION, 339 

assaults discern its approach on themselves, which 
when once come, then man goes off the stage to 
return no more, nor shall he for all the ages of eter- 
nity ever act the scene of life over again 1 2. How 
strange it is that the mere supposal of the truth and 
certainty of the Scripture, that such a thing may 
be, does not more alarm men and mar their quiet; 
that they can so much as think of an eternal estate 
without trembling, whilst they have no solid deter- 
mination in such a matter ; yea, when the Scrip- 
ture of God does not only witness a heaven and 
immortaUty, but shows the world that there is such 
a thing as the first fruits and earnest of it. I would 
know if such an atheism is to be found, which puts 
the atheist beyond fear and doubting, even in his 
most professed confidence and scoffing at the truth, 
or which can sufficiently prevent that heart-aching 
and continued anxiety he is under that such a thing 
may be true. 3. I shall add, it is matter of wonder 
that men should admit the report and attestation 
of others of the truth of godliness, who yet live 
strangers to it themselves ; yea, should be at some 
toil and pains, and come to be almost Christians, 
without pursuing this in greater earnest. 

Inference II. There is a special debt on each 
Christian on whose soul the truth and faithfulness 
of God is sealed, to bear witness that God is true. 
Thus there is a mutual sealing : in 2 Cor. i. 22, 
the Lord puts his seal ; and in John iii. 33, the 
Christian's seal is expressly called for. This is 
indeed a duty which the meanest of the saints 
who has that witness within himself can perform. 
He does not more clearly see the truth written in 
the Bible before him, than he knows and can read 
by another character and engraving this within 
him, though none else can read the same. There 



340 CONCLUSION. 

is a debt due to the least Scripture truth, when a 
witness and confession is called for. But this is 
something else ; it concerns the confirmed Chris- 
tian as a peculiar debt he owes to the truth and 
faithfulness of his God, to give unto Him the glory 
of his faithfulness. So David speaks, Psa. Ixxxix. 
1 ; and though some have a more special call to 
this than others, yet the confirming and sealing of 
the truth is like a great and public treasure, wherein 
the meanest Christian should cast in his mite. 

1. He who receives the testimony of Jesus 
Christ thus sets to his seal that he is true, and 
subscribes to the truth of the gospel, John iii. 33. 
2. The showing forth of the power of godliness 
is, through the course of a Christian's life, a liv- 
ing and visible witness thereto. 3. The converted 
man, upon that new and marvellous discovery he 
has of the truth upon his first entering into a 
Christian state, when he has passed the great step, 
and is as one come into another world, has a spe- 
cial call and advantage for such a duty ; and the 
first service due from him to the truth, is to com- 
mend by his zeal and testimony to others what 
God has so marvellously commended to his soul. 
He is then to answer that call, " When thou art 
converted, strengthen thy brethren," Luke xxii. 
32. 4. When a Christian is confirmed after some 
remarkable staggering, and has got a new seal of 
the faithfulness of God, he is under a new debt to 
restore with advantage what he had taken from 
the credit of the truth, and give that good report 
and witness thereto, which may obviate any re- 
flection he might have caused by his fainting. 
Thus we see Hezekiah, after such a remarkable 
plunge and fainting, comes in with his witness, 
'What shall I say? He hath both spoken unto 



CONCLUSION. 341 

me, and himself hath done it," Isa. xxxviii. 15. 

And David, "I said, I am cut off from before thine 
eyes, nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my 
supplication," Psa. xxxi. 22. 5. When we see 
atheism abounding, when it is not a particular 
truth, but the whole truth and faithfulness of God 
that is challenged, it then calls, and calls aloud to 
the godly man for his appearance, by some more 
obvious testimony than at other times. When 
the lot of a Christian is cast in such a time, and 
amongst a generation of mockers, he has a special 
call by a grave and prudent witness to own the 
truth, as that which he is obliged to seal, though 
there were none else. Yea, this should be such a 
call and incitement, if zeal for Jesus Christ has 
got a command over his soul, as might burst his 
tongue-strings, which before were tied, when the 
faithfulness of his God, which he so oft has proved, 
is by men brought in question. This to David was 
like a sword that thrust him through, when they 
said unto him, "Where is thy God?" Psa. xlii. 
3. 6. Upon the close of some sharp and remark- 
able trial, when the Christian after a storm comes 
safe to land, the new discovery he has of the faith- 
fulness of God lays a new debt on him to bear 
witness thereto. He is thus concerned not to 
leave the cross of Jesus Christ at a loss, which 
has left him at so great an advantage. Thus 
afflicted Job, after a long-continued storm, comes 
in the close to pay the truth's rent by his seal and 
testimony ; " I have heard of thee by the hearing 
of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee," Job 
xlii. 5. I hope this debt, in a large measure, will 
be found to press the spirits of many of this gene- 
ration when this storm is over, and that they will 
be compelled to bear a testimony that "they 
29 * 



342 CONCLUSION. 

thirsted not when he led them through the de- 
serts," Isa. xlviii. 21. 7. The experience of a 
Christian respecting the faithfulness of God, is a 
special trust put in his hand, and calls for his seal, 
as a rent due to the truth. None of the saints 
want their peculiar engagements, even beyond 
others; yea, such singular confirmation they have 
had of the way of the Lord, and with such aston- 
ishing circumstances, that to smother tlie remem- 
brance of their mercies, without some gain and 
advantage paid to the truth, might be reckoned a 
stealth from their generation. Such a thing press- 
ed David's soul, Psa. Ixvi. 16; and truly this 
practice, managed with humble prudence, in a 
grave intercourse and communication, were a 
choice improvement of Christian society and fel- 
lowship. I confess to manage this well seems 
one of the most difficult and necessary pieces of 
Christian duty. What a special improvement of 
Christian fellowship is held forth, Mai. iii. 16. I 
could wish so excellent a means were more direct- 
ed to this end ; nor should it prevent such a duty 
that there may be an empty show and counterfeit 
of it, and that the shallowest brooks sometimes 
make the greatest noise. 8. There is a special 
call for the Christian's witness to the truth under 
some remarkable exigence and strait, whilst throng- 
ed with manifold temptations ; then he is concern- 
ed to show forth the faithfulness of God, that 
others who in such times will be great observers 
of his way, may know that he is satisfied with 
God and with the security of his word, when he 
has no resting-place elsewhere ; that he thinks not 
his burden too great to roll over on the promise, 
but can say in behalf of the truth, "Persecuted, 
but not forsaken; cast down, yet not destroyed," 



CONCLUSION. 343 

2 Cor. iv. 9. You see the apostle paying such a 
debt on this account, "Having nothing, yet pos- 
sessing all things," 2 Cor. vi. 10. 9. A call to this 
duty waits the Christian in a special manner at 
the close of his day ; then is he concerned to 
acquit himself of that debt, by commending the 
way of the Lord, and confirming others therein. 
It would be a choice appendix to the testament of 
a dying Christian, to seal with his last breath the 
faithfulness of God ; and then, when his words are 
of more weight than at other times, to bear this 
witness, that through the various steps of his life 
he knows that God is true, and has helped him. 
Each remarkable time of life has some proper work; 
this seems to be the last service of a dying Chris- 
tian to his generation, to deliver the truth off his 
hand with his seal and testimony. This were to 
bequeath a choice legacy to others. 

Particular rules cannot be given for the practice 
of this duty. Christian wisdom is profitable to di- 
rect as occasion offers ; but sure it is, each Chris- 
tian is thus a witness in behalf of that attribute, the 
faithfulness of God, to attest by his seal as a con- 
firmatory sign that God is true. And as there is 
always an implicit seal by believing, there is some- 
thing more explicit now called for, when the reality 
of godliness is so expressly impugned by the ad- 
versary under the name of fanaticism. 1. We see 
through the whole Scripture how much the saints 
have been thus occupied ; and in those times of the 
church when there was no other way to keep up a 
remembrance of the faithfulness of God, and to 
transmit a testimony thereto, we find a pillar and 
stone of witness erected, 1 Sam. vii. 12. 2. The 
discovery of this faithfulness, to an observing 
Christian, has sometimes a greater joy and satisfac- 



344 CONCLUSION. 

tion than the mercy in which it appears. 3. The 
Christian has an occasional call thereto whenever 
it lies in his way to bear his witness. The truth 
and faithfulness of God never came in David's way 
but we find him speak honourably thereof, from 
the sense of his peculiar engagements. 4. There 
is no part of a Christian's suffering for a particular 
truth, but a confession is therewith called for of the 
faithfulness of God. He should thus bear witness 
before the world that he is not ashamed of the cross 
of Christ ; whilst others, by choosing sin rather 
than affliction, do what in them lies to make God 
a liar. 

Inference III. As there is a personal debt on 
the Christian, there is a public debt also on the 
church, and a special trust reposed on every age 
thereof, to seal the truth to the ages to come, with 
a witness to the faithfulness of God. The Scrip- 
ture herein is clear, Psa. cxlv. 4 — 6. Each time 
has some peculiar debt, which it should pay to 
posterity, from a new addition of the great and re- 
markable works of the Lord ; and his more emi- 
nent appearance for the church in one age beyond 
another, adds to this debt, and puts some further 
engagements upon it, to transmit the works of the 
Lord, and the memory of his goodness, to after 
times. 

This has the greater call, when it is so much the 
work of the time to shake and unsettle men as to 
this great foundation ; yea, when so much is writ- 
ten that has a visible tendency to this end. One 
thing particularly may be wished, that the public 
records of every age, as they concern the church, 
contained more clearly some history of the verifi- 
cation of the truth, by transmitting these great and 
conspicuous remarks of the way of God with the 



CONCLUSION. 345 

church to posterity. Thus should one age declare 
his faithfulness to the next. 

That part of the truth of God which has endured 
the greatest opposition froni the adverse party, 
should be especially commended with all care and 
circumspection, yea, with some peculiar testimony 
thereto. It is true, there are in every age some 
who appear for the truth ; yea, it is the duty of 
each Christian when called, to give a confession of 
the same : but as no private appearance can be sub- 
stituted for a public record and monument in a time 
of great encroachment on the truth, when a re- 
markable breach is likely to be made, and the as- 
sault is not from a private adversary, but a public 
formidable combination of a party, some more sol- 
emn, authoritative, and united concurrence is called 
for, that may witness to ages to come where their 
fathers stood, how they held out and wrestled to 
keep their ground in defence of the gospel. This 
is like the casting up of a bank against a further 
breach when the enemy comes in like a flood ; and 
the confessions of the church in every age, with 
such a public testimony to the truth, when followed 
with visible hazard and suffering, have been more 
effectually subservient to the truth's conservation, 
than all the disputes of men : thus did they overcome 
by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their 
testimony. Rev. xii. 11. 

A special debt is also upon the church to contend 
for the truth once delivered to the saints. O how 
blessed a debate and strife is this, though resisting 
to the blood should be called for ! But whilst I 
mention this duty, it cannot be understood with 
respect to the great interest of religion only, or the 
weightier matters of the law, whilst under a pro- 
fessed zeal for these, a latitude and indifference in 



346 CONCLUSION. 

other concernments of the truth is sheltered. Let 
me ask, can any part of truth held forth in the 
Scripture be of that low value as to warrant the 
yielding it up when brought in debate, when one 
line of this is of more worth than the crowns and 
sceptres of all the monarchs of the earth ? The 
God of truth has prized it at another rate, who de- 
clares heaven and earth shall fail, before one tittle 
of his word shall perish. Can they be faithful in 
greater things, who are unfaithful in a little? It is 
too clearly seen how small a yielding makes a 
great breach. Truths comparatively small may be 
great in their season, when they are the word of 
his patience ; yea, the smaller the debated point 
seems with many, it makes the Christian's ad- 
herence thereto a greater testimony. It is clear 
there is a close connexion amongst the truths of 
God held forth in the Scripture ; one part thereof 
cannot be reached without a prejudice to the whole ; 
yea, every corruption of the truth has an aim at 
the very soul of religion. 

The great duty of the church at this day is the 
transmitting of truth and godliness, not in a naked 
form only, but in the life and power thereof. Surely 
it is now too obvious, that through a large part 
of the Reformed church, and in those places where 
the truth has brightly shone with much state and 
warmth ; yea, where religion in its purity is yet 
professedly countenanced and the worship of God 
owned, even there the power and spirituality of 
religion is a strange and unknown thing; and by 
many within the church, and of some repute there- 
in, it might be questioned, is there indeed a Holy 
Ghost, and an inward teaching of the Spirit, who 
by his working and efficacious influences is known 
upon the soul? Is there such a thing as real fellow- 



CONCLUSION. 347 

ship and converse with God in the secret and pub- 
lic duties of a Christian ? O what cause is there 
to fear that the shadow and form will be quickly 
gone, when the power thereof is so great a mystery ! 
I profess it is not to reflect on any place or par- 
ticular church that I speak, but this want and 
decay is too great and universal to be hidden ; the 
tide seems so far spent and gone back, yea, so 
small appearance of its return, and the church of 
Christ is at that pass, that if the faithfulness of 
God were not a surety which stands good for all, 
we might judge that nothing else is left, but that 
each one should shift for himself, and give over the 
church. But sure I am, upon a better warrant than 
appearance, our safety is this day to keep by the 
vessel, and not to part interest with an afflicted and 
almost sinking church ; a public spirit may yet be 
found the best way to secure a private interest. 
O ! what do we see ? Almost every where men's 
hands are upon their loins, and there is little inquiry 
in this extreme exigence, what part of duty can yet 
be essayed to get religion up again. Some things 
are to be wished which would be of singular use to 
promote this interest : I shall very briefly point, at 
them. 

1. It is to be wished that the great means of 
prayer yet left to the church, were improved with 
more singleness and fervency, both by the Chris- 
tian alone, and in converse with others. It is 
well known, in the most dark and dismal times 
of her condition, what marvellous help prayer 
has brought. Here the meanest of the saints has 
access to do a great piece of service, even to the 
church universal. 

2. It is to be wished that a greater correspond- 
ence through the Reformed church were more 



348 CONCLUSION. 

effectually pursued, to know what eminent hazard 
appears to the truth, or what sore trial and assault 
some particular church may have beyond others, 
for witnessing mutual sympathy, communication 
of counsels, obviating prejudices and mistakes, and 
as a serious incitement to the duty of the times, in 
promoting the great interest of the gospel. Since 
the Reformation began how little of this has been 
practised ! Sometimes the great concerns of neigh- 
bouring churches, and the more remarkable occur- 
rences of Providence, are but little known. 

3. It might be a notable and useful help, and 
one of no great difficulty, now when there is such 
plodding in religion by airy notions, as if that 
great interest were the essay of men's wit and 
invention, to translate into other languages some 
of our choice English pieces, which do most ner- 
vously hold forth the truth of godliness, both in its 
simplicity and in its life and power — such as are 
most fit to bring the naked speculation of truth 
down to a near feeling and soul-converse there- 
with ; yea, such as with great clearness may show 
the world how well godliness suits with, and is a 
singular help in, every calling and condition of 
men, to make their way easy and pleasant amidst 
the trials of life ; but especially that may hold 
forth the indispensable necessity thereof It is 
sad to think in what measure holiness is wounded 
and darkened, by so great a cloud of prejudice, 
through the Reformed church ; through the means 
of the extravagance and unsuitable practice of 
many professors ; and yet that so little care is 
taken to obviate and prevent it. 

4. It calls now for much prayer to see a spiri- 
tual and faithful ministry given to the church, of 
whom it might be said, These are the ambassa- 



CONCLUSION. 349 

dors of Jesus Christ, with their Master's authority 
impressed on them, who in earnest do travail in 
birth to have Christ formed in their hearers, and 
who preach with feeHng to themselves as well as 
to others; who truly watch for men's souls, with 
an awful impression lest their blood be required at 
their hands. How great a blessing would this be 
to a decayed church, and what a ground of hope 
were it of a recovery ! for it is seen what a close 
connexion there is between the church's case and 
the ministry thereof. At the breaking out of the 
gospel, after the long darkness under antichrist, 
how choice and excellent a ministry was then sent 
forth ; yea, what a remarkable constellation of 
great lights appeared, who both burned and shone 
in their time ! O ! these are gone, and but a few, 
comparatively with their spirit are to be found. 
The greatest plague the Christian world and the 
Reformed church are under this day, is from the 
watchmen, by whom the truth has been more 
wounded than by its most professed adversaries. 
I know there are some in this time who take ad- 
vantage to reflect on and decry that excellent office 
and appointment of Jesus Christ for his church, 
because of the abuse thereof, whom I dare not, 
from the awe of God, answer in their dialect, 
which is only railing; but the Lord rebuke that 
evil spirit now abroad in the world! The pre- 
sent generation owes it as a debt to posterity, to 
witness a particular care and respect to those who 
are aiming at this gi'eat calling, that in so sad a 
day they may be encouraged to follow their aim, 
and not to faint when difficulties seem to grow in 
their way; but, especially, that they take along 
with other studies that more excellent study of 
sanctification, which is so indispensably necessary 
30 



350 CONCLUSION. 

to make able ministers of the New Testament. 
Surely they have now a special advantage to wit- 
ness their love and respect to Jesus Christ, who 
keep their faces that way, when there seems no 
other incitement but the service of such a Master. 
Inference IV. It is a duty of special use to a 
right understanding of the fulfilling of the Scrip- 
ture, to discern the times; since in particular ages 
and periods of time the Scripture must be fulfilled, 
and the prophecies which relate to each period of 
time have their particular and exact accomplish- 
ment therein. There can be no doubt that such 
a duty is called for in so dark an hour of the 
church ; yea, the greater the darkness, the more 
pressing is the call. When we see the clouds 
gathering, which are like to cover the face of the 
sky ; the church universal so sore benighted, that 
she has almost lost her way amidst these mists 
and among the multitude of these by-paths ; then 
it is not only incumbent on the public watchmen, 
but it concerns the godly every where, to know 
the time, and what Israel ought to do. Every 
Christian has his watch-tower, where he may go 
up by near converse with God in the Scripture, 
and thence, as from a great height, consider the 
present time ; yea, have a clear view of the most 
strange and perplexing occurrences thereof; and 
see that amidst these, God's work about the church 
keeps its way, and moves still forward without 
losing ground. 

I shall offer some thoughts for a right discovery 
and understanding of the time. 

1. It is of great importance to know from the 
Scripture, "What of the night?" Isa. xxi. 11; 
how far it seems to be spent, and in what watch 
thereof the church is fallen; foF thus we might 



CONCLUSION, 351 

know to what period of her coDdition these great 
and remarkable things which fall out in the world 
relate. This, I confess, would be a perplexing bu- 
siness, if the appearance of things were our guide, 
and if we had not that blessed conduct of the writ- 
ten word. One thing is sure, that the Lord has 
founded Zion, and is now building her up ; which 
marvellous work is in all ages in a continued pro- 
gress : the great builder loses no time. These 
things seem clear and manifest. 

(1.) That as the whole election must obtain, so 
there are a great many of that elect church already 
entered into a triumphant condition, and safe on 
shore. There is at this day perfected and before 
the throne, a great and innumerable company of 
all nations, tribes, and languages, who were of 
old committed to the Mediator's trust, and to be 
brought forth under the times of the New Testa- 
ment, after whom the gospel followed, and made 
many a long step to bring them in from the fur- 
thest corners of the earth. 

(2.) That the church militant has now passed 
that long-continued and most dismal trial which 
was to go over her head, even that sore bondage 
from antichrist. It is true, this adversary does not 
cease or give over the quarrel, for he wants not 
wrath even when his power is abated : we see him 
in a great stir to have that accursed interest set in 
its own place, that has so remarkably been brought 
down before the gospel ; but a step further of that 
judgment, which assuredly is not sleeping, will end 
the business. The winter is past, and the church's 
spring is begun, yea, in a large measure advanced, 
whose growth and tender blossom neither the cold 
nor storm can blast, but must be subservient there- 
to and hasten the summer's approach. 



352 CONCLUSION. 

(3.) I think there are clear and convincing symp- 
toms by which some notable crisis in the church's 
condition may be discerned ; that atler many con- 
flicts and sore wrestlings since her victory was be- 
gun over antichrist, this time of the church seems 
to fall under that more remarkable assault from this 
adversary before the pouring out of the fifth vial on 
his throne and seat ; which, as the prelude of so 
great a victory, may be more dreadful and sharp 
for a time than any we have seen. I humbly 
judge the Scripture points clearly at a continued 
war between antichrist (even in his falling state) 
and the Lamb, until the last decision puts him off 
the field ; "For the Lamb shall overcome, and they 
that are with him are called and chosen and faith- 
ful," Rev. xvii. 14. And since the church's inter- 
est is advanced by the renewed assaults of that 
adversary, is it strange that the several steps of her 
rising should have some conflict and opposition 
proportioned thereto? This the Scripture wit- 
nesses, " Be in pain, O daughter of Zion ; for thou 
shalt go forth even unto Babylon: there shalt thou 
be dehvered," Micah iv. 10. So formidable an 
approach of antichrist at this day, and the advan- 
tage he seems to have, with the sore strugglings of 
the church of Christ as in an extreme between life 
and death, have more of promise than of threaten- 
ing, and are a hopeful presage of a further enlarge- 
ment, and the bringing forth some great and im- 
portant truth to a performance ; yea, they have a 
direct tendency, under the wonderful conduct of the 
blessed Disposer of these things, to help forward 
such a mercy. 

(4.) Though now it seems a contradiction both 
to sense and reason, the church's interest is on a 
present advance, and at this day is on the prevail- 



CONCLUSION. 353 

ing hand. Under all the changes of her condition, 
and through the whole time of the New Testament, 
this truth must be made out, that Jesus Christ in 
his kingdom must increase, John iii. 30. Even 
when choicest instruments wear out, that interest 
flourishes as the palm tree, the more it is depress- 
ed ; nor has the church bounds set to its continued 
increase until it come to the perfect day, when the 
kingdom shall be delivered up to the Father, and 
all powers shall be subdued and brought under the 
Mediator's feet. It is true, such hours may fall in 
with some sad intervals, in which success and ad- 
vantage appear on the adversary's side ; for thus 
the Scripture points forth antichrist's ruin, and the 
progress of his judgment, in the various steps 
thereof, with a special resemblance to the Lord's 
way with Pharaoh, who appears to have been a 
type of the great antichrist. We find the same 
judicial strokes of hardness of heart on both ; a 
gradual procedure, by one plague after another, 
with the same effect and product, to give the church 
a new assault on any favourable interval ; until the 
great God makes his power known as he did at the 
Red Sea. Is it not strange to see the truth brought 
down to the grave, yea, as it were buried, when 
even this, by the overruling providence of him who 
makes all things work together for her good, is 
turned to her advantage, and tends to her rising 
with a greater lustre and brightness 1 

(5,) That blessed, much longed for, and glori- 
ous day of the second coming of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, which for ever puts a triumphant close to 
the church's warfare, when the soldier's sword and 
helmet shall be laid aside, and give place to the 
victor's harp and crown, hastes apace. O let him 
who writes and him who reads say, "Even so, 
30* 



354 CONCLUSION. 

come Lord Jesus," Rev. xxii. 20. God, who has 
appointed man his time, and with whom is the num- 
ber of his months and years, has set time its glass 
ajso, and has bounded the duration of this world, 
that it cannot continue one minute longer than he 
determines ; and though the particular time, which 
the majesty of God has concealed from the angels, 
falls not under our inquiry, yet this is clear, there 
are signs given of its near approach, which in their 
season will be discernible, though little noticed by 
the world. It is in such a lethargy, and men are 
so thronged with the cares of this life, that these 
grave forewarnings will not rouse them up. But 
such signs are not given in vain, for therewith the 
church may discern what appearance there is of the 
approach of that day ; yea, on such an account may 
lift up her head with a solemn congratulation. O 
what a marvellous truth is this, the serious thoughts 
of which might give men new subjects tor wonder 
each day ! The time is hastening when the Redeemer 
of the church shall appear in the clouds of heaven, 
in flaming fire, with an innumerable company of 
the angels ; and now the dust of the saints has 
not long to sleep until they be awakened with that 
unspeakably sweet and rapturous sound of the last 
trumpet. Faithful is he who has promised. It is 
long since John gave this warning to the church, 
" Behold, he comes with clouds," Rev. i. 6 ; and 
thus did the primitive Christians solace themselves 
on these grounds. Some few evidences of this 
day's approach we may discern, which, as the 
blossoming of the spring, witness that the summer 
is near. [1.] If the whole days of the gospel 
since the glorious triumph of the Mediator in his 
suffering for the church, and his resurrection, be 
the last times by the Scripture reckoning, we must 



CONCLUSION. 355 

then judge that the night is far spent, and the day 
is at hand. [2.] If the last stroke and utter abol- 
ishing of antichrist shall be by the brightness of 
Christ's second coming, 2 Thess. ii. 8, is there not 
solid ground to judge that this blessed day makes 
haste, when his falling is so far advanced ? We 
have seen his kingdom, in a great measure, dark- 
ened ; his consuming and mouldering down by the 
breath of Christ's mouth in the preached gospel ; 
and now we wait in hope for that more remarkable 
step of his judgment, which the Scripture gives as 
a near sign of the coming of the Lord ; even such 
as the white sky and the morning brightness is to 
the watchman, of the day being near; and thus, as 
we see the ruin and downfall of the man of sin ad- 
vance, there seems to be a proportionate ground of 
certainty to conclude the near approach of the day 
of Christ's second coming. 

2. The next particular for a serious inquiry is, 
what the present appearance and signs of the time 
seem to point at ; for these are of special use to give 
a clear discovery of its temper and disposition. 
This is a prognostication which the Scripture only 
can make us know. I confess this day they seem 
sad, and every where look with a threatening as- 
pect on the church. We see not now those tokens 
for good, which sometimes have appeared. There 
are presages which concern this time, that if we be 
not asleep, might make us regard the same with an 
awful and humbling impression, for truly they 
threaten ; yet I must say, with reference to the 
Scripture, that we have a safe warrant to conclude, 
that whatever may befall a particular church, yet 
nothing thence can be concluded of mortal preju- 
dice to the universal church ; for though this or that 
particular church may be cut off, yet he and his 



356 CONCLUSION. 

kingdom must increase. Yea, when the Lord 
seems to lose ground in one place, it is made up 
with advantage in another place ; and often out of 
the very ruins and dispersion of that church which 
he casts off, he carries materials to build him a 
house elsewhere ; in which case we should, instead 
of complaining, adore and bless the glory of the 
Lord, and justify his procedure, and be glad that 
they to whom he was not spoken of shall see, and 
they who had not heard shall understand. Even 
a particular church, which has death-presaging 
symptoms, and scarcely a token for good, can be 
recovered by him who heals backslid ings and loves 
freely. He can make dry bones flourish as a green 
herb ; for the issues from spiritual death belong to 
him. He can make those who have fallen from 
their first love, repent, and do their first works, 
whereby the departing of the glory, and the remov- 
ing of the candlestick out of its place, shall be pre- 
vented. I am so much the more pressed to touch 
this, because the very few serious Christians who 
are yet left, or are delivered from that spiritual 
stupidity which has seized on others while they 
lay to heart the things which concern the kingdom 
of Jesus Christ, are ready to cast away all confi- 
dence and abandon themselves to despondency, 
through the frightful aspect of affairs, and the con- 
sideration of what they observe in the temper of 
men and tendency of things. They almost ques- 
tion whether they ought to entertain any hope that 
we shall any more be called by that blessed name, 
Jehovah-shammah, "The Lord is there," Ezek. 
xlviii. 35 ; seeing nothing appears at present in the 
disposition of men, or in the dispensations of God, 
which does not seem to portend a final departure, 
I would desire such to beware, lest in their heart- 



CONCLUSION. 357 

lessness they limit the Holy One of Israel, and 
circumscribe the sovereignty of grace. For their 
establishment and excitement to a serious wrestling 
with him, in order to his abode with us, let them 
consider these particulars. 

(1.) This is one of the signs of the time, that 
the devil is now bestirring himself against the 
church to beget every where a prejudice against 
the truth. [1.] His appearing with great wrath 
shows his time to be short. Rev. xii. 12. [2.] His 
being let loose, with a more than usual liberty to 
trouble the church, is previous to some great and 
remarkable restraint. Rev. xx. 7, 8. There he is 
in a more special way let loose ; but we find, verse 
10, his being chained up for ever follows. [3.] The 
devil rages with a more remarkable noise, when 
some great thing from the Lord is to be brought 
forth for the church. When the solemn and blessed 
time was now come of completing for ever, by one 
sacrifice, the work of redemption, this same hour 
and power of darkness introduced an everlasting 
sunshine upon the church ; and Satan, by pursuing 
the Prince of life unto death, had a most fatal over- 
throw; for by death he overcame him who had the 
power of death, that is, the devil ; and by being 
lifted up upon the cross he spoiled principalities 
and powers, triumphing over them openly ; and 
thus dying, he sung the victory, and said, " It is 
finished," John xix. 30. Yea, it is clear what a 
hot alarm the church may expect from him upon 
the approach of that great victory, and the decision 
of the last battle between Michael and the dragon. 
Rev. xii. 7—10. 

(2.) We see almost every where the most united 
and formidable assault of the adversaries of the 
truth at the kingly power and supremacy of the 



358 CONCLUSION, 

Mediator, as head over his church. At this great 
truth the opposition of the time seems most directly 
to be levelled ; yea, the crown of Christ, which 
it becomes him alone to wear, is now divided be- 
tween antichrist and the princes of the earth, each 
contending for his share. At present the adversary 
seems to prevail, even to the bearing down of that 
great interest of our blessed Master. But there is 
no ground to fear this; nay, being well understood, 
it is a most hopeful and promising sign to the 
church : for if Christ must reign until all his ene- 
mies be brought in subjection, then the greater the 
opposition and assault, the greater the victory ; and 
if Jesus Christ will take unto himself his great 
power and reign, we must expect that he will take 
it in a more eminent and conspicuous manner, 
when men are seeking, in the height of their re- 
bellion and rage against the Lord and his Anointed, 
to seize on his sceptre, and snatch it from him. 

(3.) It is a strange sign of the times, that we 
now see most promising appearances for the 
church's good remarkably blasted ; things which 
seemed grounds of encouragement made to fail. 
We see human props almost every where removed 
or broken ; the truth deserted by great men ; yea, 
the families of those falling off this day from the 
Lord, whose ancestors for a long time had been 
zealous for his interest. This is a threatening ap- 
pearance, but I would humbly reason on Scripture 
grounds, that it is no bad sign, but has therewith 
some comfortable aspect on the church ; it being 
clear, [1.] That there is often a connexion in the 
Bible between an extreme exigence of the church's 
case and the Lord's eminent appearing; see Isa. 
xxx. 18; li. 20—22 ; Ixiii. 5. Yea, it is hard to 
find any great mercy and remarkable deliverance 



CONCLUSION. 359 

of the church which has not come at such periods. 
[2.] Such a disadvantage and forsaken case is ex- 
pressly held forth as one of God's opportunities of 
doing good to his people, Jer. xxx. 14, &c. When 
there is none to plead her cause, and Zion is called 
an outcast whom no man seeks after, then does the 
Lord allow his people to be encouraged, and to 
take it as a ground of hope that he will appear. 
[3.] It is clear from the word, that a people at such 
a disadvantage may be then made use of for the 
greatest service. The saints mentioned in Heb. xi, 
34, were made strong out of weakness. There 
can be no cause to fear the church's ruin, from the 
withdrawing of human help, when it falls under 
the Lord's hand, who by things most destructive 
can serve his interest, and bring salvation at such 
a time when none but he could save, Hosea vi. 
1—3; Mic. vii. 8—10. 

(4.) We do indeed see much of that holy fear 
and tenderness gone that formerly showed itself 
amongst the godly ; corruption abounding, preju- 
dice easily taken, a spirit of jealousy poured out, 
yea, very strange and unusual outbreakings in of- 
fence and scandal : on which account if God should 
make us a generation of his wrath, we are called 
to adore and justify the unspotted way of the Lord ; 
yet I must adventure, with respect to the sover- 
eignty of grace, to offer some discovery from the 
Scripture of what he has done in like cases. [1.] 
When the church has had no argument to make 
use of, no confidence to plead, but is broken and 
confounded under the sense of horrid guilt, he finds 
one in himself; " For my name's sake will I defer 
my anger." Isa. xlviii. 9. [2.] We find the cov- 
enant made use of by the Lord to stop a judicial 
procedure against his people; "Nevertheless he 



360 CONCLUSION. 

regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry, 
and remembered for them his covenant," Psa. cvi. 
44, 45. [3.] We find the rage and violence of the 
adversaries, and their taking advantage to blas- 
pheme, made use of by the Lord as an argument 
to own his people, who had otherwise forfeited all 
former grounds of confidence, Deut. xxxii, 26, &c, 
[4.] We read how sovereign grace has marvellously 
stepped in when the rod did not humble, and smit- 
ing would not do ; " I smote him, and he went on 
frowardly in the way of his heart ;" yet, " I have 
seen his ways, and will heal him," Isa. Ivii. 17, 
18. "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but 
in me is thine help," Hos. xiii. 9. Yea, grace 
has rescued those on whom mercy must be forced, 
and while departing from God, Hos. ii. 7, 9. 
[5.] Thus has the freedom of grace, marvellous 
grace, shone forth in former ages of the church; 
but they sadly mistake its meaning who are thus 
made secure, and not thereby led unto repentance. 
(5.) There is a great wearing out of the godly, 
yea, the choice of them, by a more than usual 
despatch ; and this is a sad Scripture presage of 
coming evil, when such are hastened away, that 
they may be hid in the grave from a further storm. 
Yet, [1.] Consider what a remarkable consump- 
tion almost wore out the church in the wilderness, 
when even then there was a hastening of her en- 
largement ; yea, we find Moses and Aaron, with 
many who had been most eminent instruments in 
Israel's coming forth out of Egypt, taken away on 
a near approach to Canaan. [2.] Some of the 
greatest promises of the Scripture wait on the 
church when brought to a very small remnant, 
Ezek. vi. 8, 9; Isa. xxxvii. 31. [3.] The Lord 
has said in such a case, " The consumption de- 



CONCLUSION. 361 

creed shall overflow with righteousness," Isa. x. 
22. The next tide can bring in as many with a 
marvellous increase, as the former consuming 
strokes have taken away ; yea, the declining of 
religion in one part of the world, where many 
have been called, often concurs with its spread in 
another ; and thus the gospel recovers that interest 
which it seemed to lose. 

(6.) The present appearance of the times threat- 
ens some sharp storm to come upon the world, 
some remarkable work of judgment to be brought 
forth; and though the earth seems this day in a 
strange measure quiet, yea, to enjoy an extraordi- 
nary calm, sure it is, there is a sound of great 
wrath and judgment in the ears of many who 
know what it is to discern the times. It is well 
the Scripture is near, a prognostication that can 
answer all the ages of the church ; on such an ap- 
pearance that awful impression, Hab. iii. 16, is 
called for. We should be in a trembling frame 
when God threatens, and thus utters his voice ; 
yet it is clear that from these threatening signs, 
there is a comfortable sound of much good to the 
church ; for, [1 .] We find days of vengeance on 
the world held forth as necessary for the accom- 
plishing of the Scripture, Luke xxi. 22, and made 
subservient to the bringing forth some special 
truth unto performance. [2.] In times of greatest 
judgment the church's interest is secured, with a 
large warrant to the godly not to fear, even whilst 
his garments are dyed with blood, Isa. Ixiii. 1 ; 
Ezek. ix, 4; Rev. iii. 10. [3.] The church's en- 
largement and greatest mercies are thus ushered 
in, Isa. Ixiii. 4 ; Zeph. xxxviii. 8. The putting 
the earth in a flame, and overturning the nations, 
are the very steps to an accomplishing of some 
31 



362 CONCLUSION, 

great promises for the church's advantage, yea, a 
prelude to the same. We find a dreadful winter 
storm on the world pointed out as a spring time 
to the church, Luke xxi. 28. Her deliverance 
may be begun when the storm is breaking, which 
may for a time put the church under greater diffi- 
culties than before ; yea, cause the godly to mis- 
take and tremble at the sight of their mercy, be- 
cause of the things by which it is ushered in. 

3. Another particular which it concerns the 
godly to understand is, the peculiar snares and 
hazards of the time, Eccles. ix. 12. There are 
searching times, when the Christian's way is more 
difficult and narrow ; and then it is the wisdom of 
the prudent to understand his way, and to known 
his ground, which the adversary, by subtle and 
indiscernible approaches, will seek to draw him 
off; then is a quick, sagacious discerning in the 
fear of the Lord called for, to be in a watching 
posture when the net is spread under their feet. 
It is a sad remark of Ephraim, " Strangers have 
devoured' his strength, and he knoweth it not." 
Hos. vii. 9. In what a secure and sleeping pos- 
ture Sampson had his haircut off! David, through 
many of the Psalms, is more solicitous for the 
preventing the snares of wicked men, than for 
protection from their rage and violence. There is 
a feeling of the pulse of the times, by which the 
present distemper and hazard of the church may 
be known ; and this day in a special manner calls 
us to this grave study. We should closely ex- 
amine the public snares of the times, and how they 
approach ; for in vain is the net spread in the sight 
of any bird, Eccl. i. 17. 

(1.) Each time has its peculiar distemper and 
evils, the observing of which concerns the godly, 



CONCLUSION. 363 

for their rrjore watchful adverting to the snares of 
that time ; for the temptation of the time goes as 
the present distemper discovers itself, whether in a 
hot boiling fever, or in a dead lethargy, and fol- 
lows those evils which are most contagious, and 
where the current of the multitude runs. Sin is 
warmed under the favourable aspect and counte- 
nance of great men ; yea, the present snare lies in 
those evils which promise outward advantage and 
security from trouble, when the question is stated 
between sin and suffering; and it is a special 
part of the godly man's work to keep a distance 
from the least accession thereto ; yea, next to the 
salvation of the soul, to be solicitous all along the 
way to have his garments kept from the smallest 
stain and spot thereof; a touch from a public pre- 
vailing evil being found to draw deeper on the 
conscience, and recovery and escape thence more 
difficult, than from many other personal infirmi- 
ties. 

(2.) There is some part of the truth of God in 
each time of the church more questioned and 
brought in debate, by which with greater clearness 
we may know where a public snare lies ; for its 
aim is to entangle and assault the godly man, 
where in a special way he is called to his post. 

(3.) We may discern a prevailing snare by the 
tendency there is in a day of trial to question 
duties, which were clear and unquestionable when 
the judgment was not biassed by any outward in- 
citements : for they who thus question a truth be- 
cause it is unpopular, get an answer according to 
the idol of their hearts, as Balaam, who tried that 
way, and was successful. A hesitation in the 
heart, from want of resolution to suffer for the 
truth, will not long be without a scruple in the 



364 CONCLUSION. 

head to cause a debate, and then is it easy for a 
snare to enter. With what fear and tenderness 
should Hght be regarded, which, as the apple of 
the eye, may by the least thing be hurt, but is not 
easily healed ! Thus men insensibly wear out 
their former impressions of duty, and before they 
are aware have, by a judicial stroke, their judg- 
ment determined in that which was before their 
desire. They know little of the depth of a man's 
heart, who are not jealous over a change of their 
judgment in an hour of trial, when its tendency is 
to spare themselves. 

(4.) We may discern a public snare by the ad- 
vantage which the adversary gets thereby to divide 
the godly amongst themselves ; for it is easy to 
enter by such a breach, and throw in the bait in so 
muddy a water ; it being very obvious what advan- 
tage a snare has, where jealousy and bitter strife 
turn men's eyes from the public hazard, and by 
mutual quarrels blunt the edge of contending for the 
truth. There may be a necessity on the godly 
sometimes to withstand their friends to the face ; 
yea, the most eminent in the church, when the 
truth is concerned. Gal. ii. 11 : but this should be 
with the greatest caution and tenderness, to obviate 
a breach, which is like the breaking in of waters, 
whilst the watching adversary waits his advantage 
in such a day; and it is too sadly known how small 
a wedge, driven with a tendency to that end, makes 
way for the entry of a further snare. We see, 1 
Cor, xi. 16, what a sad connexion there is between 
a dividing time of the church, and a further depart- 
ing from the truth ; but we must always so pursue 
union amongst ourselves, as that Christ and his 
cause be not left alone. 

(5.) A present snare may be seen by the sudden 



CONCLUSION. 365 

change of known adversaries, and by the friendly 
insinuations of those who were wont to threaten ; 
in such an appearance there lies an ambush, and it 
is but a change of weapons for advantage. Men 
should know the voice of the shepherd, lest they 
follow after a stranger ; it being more usual to be 
stolen off their feet in a calm, than blown down by 
a storm. It is hard to stand before the blandish- 
ments of men, when that more endearing and sweet 
relish of peace with God is not preserved in the 
soul ; which is a choice means to make the ear deaf 
to the most charming voice of the enchanter. The 
adder's poison is under their lips whilst wrath is 
boihng in their hearts, Psa. cxl. 3 ; yea, the cruel 
man can change his countenance when it is fit to 
lay a snare, and with Joab embrace them in his 
arms, whom he intends to smite under the fifth rib. 

(6.) A snare may be seen in its approach by the 
prevalence which the fear of man has, and the un- 
usual command it seems to have over the spirits of 
men, even over those whose zeal and resolution for 
the truth have in other trials appeared with much 
advantage ; for in the fear of man there is a snare, 
Prov. xxix. 25, which will pursue when it finds 
men in a flying posture. The godly man has his 
breastplate, but he has no armour for his back, 
when he turns his face from resisting. It is sad 
when the adversary is taught to follow by our 
fainting, and the spirit which is in the world seems 
to be upon the ascendent, with a prevalence even 
over the spirits of the godly; yea, when they are 
debased, and made contemptible, in whom the ap- 
pearance of God and his authority at another time 
would have made the hearts of their enemies to 
tremble. 

(7.) A public snare is then to be feared, and calls 
31* 



366 CONCLUSION. 

for a watchful eye, when success waits on a sinful 
course ; for then new queries will be started, strange 
reports spread, with much subtle reflection on the 
way of the Lord, to make the godly question the 
same. David found it not easy to stand before this, 
Psa. Ixxiii. 3. In such a trial the adversary, by 
continued observation, knows how to assault the 
followers of the truth, and attack them at the 
weakest point ; then the scandal of the cross causes 
many to be offended, for it is sore for them to suffer 
who know not the fellowship of the cross of Christ, 
the greatest and nearest fellowship with him upon 
the earth. Yea, in such times the church may 
run more hazard from some of her friends, than 
from the professed adversary ; for it cannot but be 
a searching and hazardous time when many are 
turning aside, and some of understanding are suf- 
fered to fall, who are ready to press their sin as a 
duty on others ; for seldom do such fall off, but 
they are found more active to engage others in 
their apostasy, than they were anxious, while hold- 
ing their former integrity, to pursue the truth's 
interest. 

(8.) A snare of the time may be discerned by 
the tendency thereof to corruption in the church ; 
when it discovers itself by the hands of Esau, 
though it have the voice of Jacob. We may see 
from the Scripture and observation of the church, 
at others' cost, what a sad tendency such a thing 
has still had to the shipwreck of faith and a good 
conscience ; and how hard it is to dance about the 
fire, and not be burned, or stand in the way and 
counsels of ungodly men, and not be ensnared. 

(9.) It threatens a snare when inquiry about the 
duty of the time is pursued without respect to the 
present case and circumstances thereof; for thus a 



CONCLUSION. 367 

snare may wait in a thing at other times indifferent, 
the neglect whereof upon some special circumstan- 
ces may be a quitting of duty ; and the doing or 
yielding to something, in another case warrantable, 
may at some times fall under a moral prohibition : 
as when a thing, in itself indifferent in the wor- 
ship of God, is pressed by the magistrate as neces- 
sary by virtue of his sole command. There should 
not be an inquiry concerning this in the general, 
without a particular application to the complex 
case. A snare is then on the entry when that 
consideration of the prophet is not much regarded, 
Is this a time for such a thing? 2 Kings v. 26. 
For the disciples to refresh themselves with sleep 
was innocent ; but that they could not watch one 
hour with their Master in his sufferings, must 
needs vary the case, for it was to desert him. 

(10.) There is a sad appearance of some public 
snare getting advantage, when it is suited to our 
self-love and private interest ; for a snare enters 
not without a call and finds its greatest strength 
and advantage within. Yea, conformity to the 
world, with a wearing out of soul-tenderness, is 
too often known to have a tendency to an evil 
course, for the motion is then down the hill. How 
many in embracing the world have at the next 
step fallen off from the truth ! No weapon has 
been more made use of against the church, and 
has ruined more ; so that it may be said, where 
other snares have killed their thousands, this has 
slain its ten thousands. 

4. Another particular, which calls for a serious 
inquiry, is. What can the righteous do when there 
is a growing darkness on the church, and the 
very foundations are shaken, and so many in the 
matter of duty give over as men astonished, seeing 



368 CONCLUSION. 

this evil is from the Lord ? It is no small thing 
to manage well such a time of the church's trial, 
and in so sharp a storm there is need of much 
care : but the Scripture of God is near to let us 
know how to steer in the darkest night, and from 
that blessed record there is one thing clearly held 
forth ; " The righteous shall hold on his way, and 
he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and 
stronger," Job xvii. 9. 

(1.) All is well, and nothing can happen wrong, 
whilst the foundation of God, which is his eternal 
counsel, abides sure; though other foundations be 
shaken, the godly man lies at a safe anchor, which 
will not drag in a stormy day ; his great interest 
is beyond hazard, though more than an immortal 
soul were in that adventure ; his heaven is sure, 
whereof he cannot be beguiled, whilst things upon 
the earth seem most uncertain ; and it is well with 
the church, were it even sinking into the grave, 
since the Mediator will bring it up again. Men's 
malice cannot hurt, nor their cursing blast, that in- 
terest which God has blessed ; for it is sure " there 
is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there 
any divination against Israel," Numb, xxiii. 23. 

(2.) The truth, and the great interest of godli- 
ness, are so known to a Christian, that it needs no 
testimony from men, nor incitement from the ex- 
ample of others ; it commends itself and witnesses 
its reality, though by all the generation amongst 
whom we live it should be cried down. To be a 
Christian indeed requires that we know the truth, 
and be founded on a ground that can support and 
quiet the soul in the greatest falling off of others, 
though there were none else to walk in that way. 
If it were supposed that there were but one serious 
Christian in the whole world, there is so great a 



CONCLUSION. 369 

discovery and certainty of the truth upon the soul, 
as would oblige him to declare with Joshua, "But 
as for me, I will serve the Lord," Josh. xxiv. 15, 
I shall but add these few grounds of establishment 
in the way of the Lord. 

[1.] That the number seems so small who fol- 
low the truth, and are found serious in the study 
of godliness, can be no ground to question the 
reality of religion, since men must either quit the 
Scripture, or admit that the way to life is strait, 
and that few enter therein. Yea, the small retinue 
the truth has in the world is an express verifica- 
tion of it. There is not the least warrant to make 
the suffrage of the multitude a test of the way of 
the Lord ; his followers are a select number chosen 
out of the world, else the Scripture could not be 
fulfilled ; and the falling of many from the truth is 
a seal thereto, no less than the coming in of others ; 
and the excellent way of holiness is the more 
discernibly known by this character, that it is 
every where spoken against. 

[2.] That so great contempt and reproach this 
day attend the truth and practice of godliness, 
should prejudice none, but be a further ground to 
help the Christian to hold on his way, since it is 
foretold that it should be so. The most excellent 
of the earth in their time have been accounted the 
filth and offscouring of the world ; but the great- 
est reproacher has often been forced to give in his 
retraction, and make a profession of that which 
before he scoffed at. And, finally, when God 
comes near by a stroke of his judgment, the proud 
change their style, and speak in another language 
upon the awful appearance of death. 

[3.] That sentence is not speedily executed 
against an evil course is also a seal and con- 



370 CONCLUSION. 

firmation of the truth, and a ground of estabhsh- 
ment in the way of the Lord, Eccles. viii. 11. 
Therein men may see, that a short reprieve from 
punishment is no pardon, whilst sin runs on to an 
after account; that judgment deferred, when there- 
with a further hardening appears, threatens more 
than a quick and present despatch, and shows the 
stroke will be the greater when it comes. 

[4.] So great an abounding of profaneness and 
ungodliness within the church is an undeniable 
seal to the verity of the Scripture ; it being unan- 
swerably clear, that there could be no darkness, if 
there were not such a thing as light; or folly if 
there were no wisdom : holiness is thus made 
known by its opposite. 

[5.] That the truth seems so much entangled 
in the confusion of contrary doctrines, and pursued 
by error, and the assault of those adversaries who 
in every age are seeking to darken it, can be no 
ground of prejudice. It is sure the Lord has made 
his way plain, nor does the Scripture give any 
ground to turn aside unto crooked paths ; for these 
are clouds of men's own creating, which have such 
a tendency to darken the same. We see truth in 
all ages is waited on by error, which, with any 
brighter discovery thereof, attends it like a thick 
fog ; though these can never unite any more than 
gold and clay can join together. The notion of 
error were inconceivable, if the truth had not a 
certainty and real being ; nor does it conflict with 
such an adversary, but for its further triumph. 
O ! if the solid persuasion of the Scripture were 
in earnest pursued, and men's souls were brought 
under the power and authority of the truth, as that 
which is the word and testimony of the living God, 
it would prove a more effectual cure to so dreadful 



CONCLUSION. 371 

a distemper of the church, than all the disputes of 
the time. 1 . It is manifest that no error or cor- 
rupt doctrine assaults the church, but it is pointed 
forth by so express an opposition in the Scripture, 
that we may see a prophetical forewarning thereof, 
and of men's endeavour to corrupt and darken the 
truth. The word is written, and in a special way 
directed, to every time of the church, and to all 
her trials, by Him who knew and foresaw what 
opposition his truth in after ages should meet with. 
In this marvellous record men may clearly see that 
there is no poison nor corruption in doctrine which 
infests the church, but which has its proper anti- 
dote there provided. 2. Do we not see, even in 
those mental delusions and heresies which seem 
most strange, the Scripture most exactly confirm- 
ed, and discern that they who are under their in- 
fluence are like clouds carried about with a tem- 
pest, 2 Peter ii. 17, and driven on by a judicial 
stroke ? Though it is amazing to see at what a 
rate many are turned mad, with a discernible be- 
witching of their judgment, and a besotting unto 
most strange and absurd extravagancies; yea, how 
tenacious and violent they are in their way, when 
silenced with the clearest discoveries of the truth ; 
yet does not this also witness that there is a right- 
eous God giving them up to strong delusion, and 
that Satan is let loose with a remarkable power to 
deceive? 2 Thess. ii. 9 — 12. O how dreadful is 
that stroke which is inflicted on the judgment and 
reason, which in some respect we may say is 
greater than that which is on the affections ! 3, 
We find the Scripture, by a clear prophetical dis- 
covery, pointing at that influence which human 
authority, and the patronage of those who have a 
name and repute in the church, should have on 



372 CONCLUSION. 

the corrupting the doctrine thereof; and therefore 
the Holy Ghost so particularly guards against the 
same, and opposes the authority of the written 
word to the highest pretences of any party : an 
apostle must not be admitted nor have credit to the 
truth's prejudice — an angel, yea, a voice from 
heaven, may not oppose itself to this more sure 
testimony of God in his word. Gal. i. 8. 4. In 
this great depth of error we see this truth take 
place, "Deceiving, and being deceived;" and that, 
by a marvellous stroke, men's judgments are made 
captive to their will, and their deliberate acting to 
deceive others has the same effect on themselves. 
5. The Scripture is further made out, when we 
see how hard it is for men to find land when they 
are once carried from the truth, and launch out 
into that horrid gulf of error. 

Inference V. The truth of God revealed in the 
Scripture is not more marvellous and great in its 
import, than clear and obvious in the evidence of 
its verification, which has every where such a wit- 
ness, that there can be no escape from this disco- 
very ; and if men will not receive its testimony, 
they must have it forced on them as their torment : 
for invention fails, and politics are found too weak, 
to ward off some impression of the Scripture, 
which with an awful appearance and authority 
justifies itself to the conscience without men's con- 
sent. This advantage has the truth, that even 
atheism must bear a witness thereto, and against 
itself; which fact, if men would but weigh it in 
the balance of sober reason, would appear a suffi- 
cient antidote against its own poison, and a great 
seal to the Scripture, which would want a special 
confirmation, if it wanted such an adversary. I 
must, finally, in behalf of the truth of God, attest 



CONCLUSION, 373 

the reproachers of this time, who are so much at 
work to challenge his unspotted way, and call in 
question his faithfulness, and appeal to that tribu- 
nal which the great God has placed in the con- 
science, if they can, without doing violence thereto, 
withstand the clear evidences of Divine truth ; con- 
cerning which I shall here ask, 

1. If it be the great prerogative of God to de- 
clare things from the beginning to the end, and 
hold forth the various and most remarkable events 
which should fall out within time, with their pro- 
per circumstances, yea, to discover the great revo- 
lutions of the world through all the ages, when 
second causes in their remotest tendency thereto 
could not be discerned, is not this then clear and 
undeniably true of the Scripture ? 2. I must make 
that challenge and attestation which that great ser- 
vant of the Lord, Joshua, did in such a cause. 
No one thing has failed of all which the Lord has 
spoken in the Scripture, Josh, xxiii. 14; nor can 
men instance any special prediction or promise 
which has miscarried, or turned abortive. What 
truth wants its seal and confirmation ? yea, what 
step of Providence can be pointed out which does 
not square and marvellously accord with the word ? 
I challenge an instance. 3. Does not the written 
word, as a bright lantern, attend the church from 
the very porch and entry of time in all her 
journey, and evidently point at the remarkable 
times and revolutions of her case, which have now 
in a great part gone over her head ? Yea, is it 
not clear, that the sun does not more truly shine 
on this terrestrial globe, than the Scripture shines 
on and illuminates the whole frame and structure 
of Providence ; and that, in all the strange parts 
which are acted in the world, there is none who 
32 



374 CONCLUSION. 

walks at random, or by his own counsel directs 
and steers his course ; but that the innumerable 
millions of men who are this day upon earth, in all 
their various motions are at present fulfilling the de- 
termined counsel of God, and their actings are con- 
centric with his great end ? 4. Is not this way 
of godliness, which seems to-day to be every where 
spoken against, that good old way, in which the 
footsteps of the saints are to be found since the 
beginning, no new light having broken up in the 
world ? Through all past ages there has not wanted 
a continued succession of those who in this re- 
proached way served the God of their fathers, and 
have sealed the truth, which from one time to 
another was delivered off their hands to the pre- 
sent generation. I here challenge the greatest 
atheists; whom can they instance of that blessed 
company, since there was a church in the earth, 
who could ever contradict this or bear another 
witness? 5. Must you not confess, that there is 
no such depth in the heart of man, or so close and 
subtle a plot of wickedness there, which is not 
found out and pointed at in the Scripture? 6. 
Can this demonstration of the Scripture be denied, 
that whilst man is a free agent in his actions, and 
therein acts spontaneously, he has, notwithstand- 
ing, in his own breast both a judge and an accuser, 
which though within him, does without his con- 
sent exercise a power over him, and an authority 
which he would, yet cannot decline? 7, Can 
men who are themselves strangers to the way of 
God, deny that serious godliness is a marvellous 
thing, and that there is something here above na- 
ture, which by its effects on others shows a Di- 
vine power, that suits and accommodates itself to 
the various conditions and employments of men ; 



CONCLUSION. 375 

puts a special honour on the greatest prince, and 
instructs the wise and prudent, yet will lodge with 
the poorest artificer in his shop, or with the labour- 
ing man in the field; and manifests a native motion 
from inward principles, when on outward grounds 
there is not the least incitement ; a living thing that 
has its discernible languishing and wearing out, and 
its more vigorous actings, as well as any living 
man? 8. If men have any serious reflection, and 
do not shut up the Bible, can they forbear to re- 
mark how well it answers the various successions 
of time, and the marvellous variety of things so 
many ages distant from each other ; that there is 
so great a distance of time between the penmen, 
yet in its composure it is one entire piece, so con- 
nected and closely knit together, that men may 
see the same spirit in the whole, and each part 
moving and carrying forward one great design? 
9. I shall but further add, if religion has a being 
and reality, which men cannot deny, without fall- 
ing far below reason into the condition of the 
beasts, must there not be a rule also? It is easy 
to judge in what a strange and monstrous shape 
religion would appear, were it left to the choice 
and decision of men. Let the most professed 
atheists turn their eyes through the whole earth, 
and in a calm and sober composure of spirit, judge 
if there be any thing more absurd, than the face 
and appearance which religion has amongst those 
by whom this excellent rule of the Scripture is 
not owned ; yea, could men subject themselves to 
such extravagancies without a Divine stroke on 
their judgment and reason, which the righteous 
God, in verification of his word, inflicts on those 
who shut their ears from the report of the truth, 
the sound whereof goes forth through the earth 1 



376 CONCLUSION. 

Here I challenge men, though strangers themselves 
to serious religion, to account for the great differ- 
ence between those parts of the world where the 
gospel shines, and the rest of the nations, except- 
ing on the ground, that the former possess such a 
revelation of God and of the truths connected with 
eternity, as is unknown to others. 



THE END. 



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